Thomas Perry (violin maker)

Thomas Perry (c.1738 – November 1818) was a notable Irish violin maker.

Perry was probably born in County Laois, the son of John Perry (also a violin maker, who died in 1771) working at Temple Bar. His earliest documented violin is dated 1764. By 1770, Perry had established his business in nearby Anglesea Street. He numbered all his violins and is known to have made more than 4,000.

As well as making first-class violins, Perry also made violas, cellos and at least one double-bass, some of which are in the collection of the National Museum of Ireland. He invented the cither-viol or sultana in the 1760s and was renowned for the quality and beauty of his instruments. Tradition has it that Perry was able to copy an Amati lent to him by the Duke of Leinster, but his other models are of a more Tyrolean type or reminiscent of the work of Richard Duke in London.

The violin maker Richard Tobin, who later set up business in London, was one of his apprentices, and Vincenzo Panormo worked with Perry prior to moving to London. His pupils included violin makers John Delaney, John Mackintosh, William Ringwood, and William Wilkinson (1771-1838), who married Perry's eldest daughter and carried on the business after Perry's death until 1839.