He is known for writing The Prince of Parthia,[1] the first play written by an American to be performed by a professional cast, as well for his tribute to Chaucer and Alexander Pope known as The Court of Fancy.
[2] His father, also called Thomas Godfrey, was the co-inventor of the first octant, known popularly as Hadley's quadrant.
Thomas Godfrey showed talent for artistic expression even at a young age.
His father, a Philadelphia inventor, died when Thomas was only 13, and his relatives sent him away to a boarding school in England.
[3] After the apprenticeship, Godfrey joined the military, being involved with the Pennsylvania forces in an expedition against the French-held Fort Du Quesne in 1758.