Richard was born in Baltimore, Md. , son of Dr. Richard Henry and Phebe (Clapp) Thomas, and a descendant of Philip Thomas who emigrated from Wales and settled on Chesapeake Bay in 1651. His parents were members of the Society of Friends. He was a sickly child, though mentally keen, sensitive, and imaginative.
He entered the sophomore class in Haverford College in 1869 and received the degree of B. A. in 1872. After three years at the University of Maryland, where he received the degree of M. D. in 1875, he studied in London (1876), at the Johns Hopkins University (1876 - 77) as a special student in biology, and in Vienna (1880 - 81).
He was professor of the diseases of throat and chest in the Woman's Medical College of Baltimore from 1882 to 1893, and at two different periods was dean of the faculty. He prepared many medical papers for this institution, and was a beloved and effective teacher.
Early in life he showed a profound interest in religion, and before he finished his medical studies he had begun to be a public interpreter of the Quaker faith and ideals. Traveling extensively with his father-in-law in England, Europe, and America, Thomas concentrated his interest on the interpretation of Christianity to meet the challenges of modern science and criticism. His preaching came to many in England and America as a solvent of doubt, and he helped many of the youth of his generation to adjust their religious faith to the new discoveries of the age.
He possessed a poetical gift and wrote poetry throughout his life, much of which was published in contemporary periodicals. His writings include one volume of collected poems, Echoes and Pictures (London, 1895); a novel, Penelve (1898); and The History of the Society of Friends in America (1894), with his brother, Allen C. Thomas, in which he interpreted the original Quaker message and treated the history of the two American "separations. " He wrote a striking paraphrase translation of the medieval hymn, "Veni Sancte Spiritus, " which was praised by the poet Whittier.
He was joint editor and founder of the Interchange, a periodical. Two of his most important essays were printed in the third volume of Present Day Papers (5 vols. , 1898 - 1902) under the title "Fides et Spes Medici. "
He died in Baltimore. His reminiscences were printed after his death in Richard H. Thomas, M. D. , Life and Letters (1905), edited by his wife.
He was a clear and effective advocate of methods of peace as a solution for international controversies.
Recorded a minister of the Society of Friends in 1883, he became one of the foremost ministers in that Society in his generation, and a leading interpreter of its principles both in America and England.
For several years he was president of the Peace Association of Friends in America.
On March 28, 1878, he married in London Anna Lloyd Braithwaite, daughter of J. Bevan Braithwaite, who was one of the most distinguished English Quakers. One daughter was born of this union.
