[1] He won the Newdigate prize in 1863 for an English-language poem about coal mines, and was praised by Matthew Arnold.
[1] He was placed in the second class in Classical Moderations and obtained a third-class Bachelor of Arts degree in Literae Humaniores in 1865.
He was a noted linguist: as well as winning (and later judging) the Newdigate prize, he won a prize at the National Eisteddfod in Ruthin for a Welsh-language poem, "The Harpist's Grave" (with music composed by Brinley Richards) and also delivered the University's Latin sermon.
[3] Thomas hoped to succeed Harper as Principal, but instead the position went to John Rhys, who had become the university's first professor of Celtic.
He was buried in Llanbeblig cemetery, Caernarfon, alongside his father, after a Welsh-language choral funeral service.