Thomas Ellwood (1639-1713) was an English religious writer. He was born in Oxfordshire, the son of a rural squire. Educated at Lord Williams's School, he later joined the Quakers and became a friend of William Penn and John Milton. However, he was persecuted for his faith and spent some time in prison. His best-known work, Davideis (1712), is a poem about the life of King David. His autobiography, The History of the Life of Thomas Ellwood, published posthumously, is a valuable historical document. He became a Quaker after visiting Isaac Penington and his family at Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire. He later lived with the family as a tutor to the children. He married Mary Ellis in 1669 and lived in Coleshill, Buckinghamshire for the rest of his life. His close friendship with William Penn, George Fox and many leading Quakers made him an influential figure in the Quaker movement. His autobiography has been published almost continually since 1714.