|Web Sites about Isaiah Thomas |Bibliography of Works in the
Nesbitt Room| Isaiah Thomas and The Only Sure Guide to the
English Tongue Isaiah Thomas was the most important American
publisher of the eighteenth century. One of the children's books
springing from his presses, The Only Sure Guide to the English
Tongue, or, Perry's New Pronouncing Spelling Book, is an
exemplary work of children’s literature of the time. Thomas
published and sold books for children, as well as books,
newspapers, and magazines for adults. He was also founder of the
American Antiquarian Society. Born in Boston January 19, 1749,
Isaiah Thomas was the youngest of five children. His father died
young , leaving Thomas' mother, Fidelity, in difficult financial
circumstances. According to Thomas, she kept a small shop to
help support the family, but made the common error of selling
property for continental paper money, further impoverishing her
family.  Consequently, when Isaiah was six, he was indentured as
an apprentice to Zechariah Fowl