Thomas Holroyd (1821 – 10 March 1904) was an English portrait and landscape painter working in Harrogate, North Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Before his marriage he undertook painting tours to the United States, Canada, Europe, Egypt, Russia and the Holy Land.

Holroyd left to Harrogate Corporation a bequest, which included his paintings of foreign lands, some sculptures by his friend William John Seward Webber, and several vintage carved oak furniture props from the photography business.

[2][nb 1] Thomas attended the village school in Clifton, West Yorkshire,[2] and was raised to follow the family trade, but it was his decision to study art.

[nb 7] On 22 June 1889, Holroyd's wife Mary committed suicide at the age of 48 by cutting her own throat in her bedroom while visiting 21 Victor Road, Manningham, Bradford.

[13] In 1891 Holroyd was a widower with lodgers, living in Esplanade Cottage, St Mary's Walk, and still working as a portrait and landscape painter.

[3] The Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald said, "In addition to his artistic taste [Holroyd] was a man of intelligence, culture and versatile talents ... [He] was always anxious for Harrogate's progression and energetic in its interests".

[6] The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer noted: "Mr Holroyd achieved considerable distinction as an artist, and his sketches and paintings are reminiscent of almost every country in Europe through which he travelled".

The marble statuary included The Warrior and the Wounded Youth (1878) commissioned by Holroyd and executed by William John Seward Webber (1842–1919).

The Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald reported:[6] They represent much of the life and character of foreign countries the artist had visited.

Disguised in the packing the chest ultimately got through to Harrogate ... Two other pieces are elaborate cabinets carved also in relief, but less bold in design.

[19] These were the terms of the will: "I give and bequeath all the pictures, statuary in marble, and Old Italian Potter ware,[nb 11] and carved furniture, of which I shall be possessed at the time of my decease, to the Corporation of Harrogate, provided they will accept of the same to form the nucleus of an Art Gallery and Museum, and if they do not accept the same, my Trustees shall make the same offer to the Technical School for the same purpose".

That was housed in a single-room first-floor extension of Harrogate Library, which had already acquired eight marble busts by Webber, and Holroyd's portrait of William Grainge, in 1916.