Thomas Adams

Thomas Adams was an English publisher. On 29 September 1582 he became an apprentice to Oliver Wilkes, a member of the Stationers' Company in London, and was transferred to a new master, George Bishop, on 14 October 1583. Adams himself was admitted a freeman of the Stationers' Company on 15 Oct. 1590. By 1591, he was established as a printer based at the sign of the White Lion at St. Paul's Churchyard in the city. In 1603, he branched out to the music publishing business, financing or printing several works by composers John Dowland, his son Robert Dowland, and Thomas Ravenscroft.

In 1611, Adams moved to the sign of the Bell at St Paul's, and purchased the rights to sixty important works of his former master, Bishop. He died sometime between March and May 1620. His wife Elizabeth continued printing works for the next five years, when she sold the rights to Adams' former apprentice, Andrew Hebb.