Who was Thomas Watson? Famous in his day, he was the epitome of Renaissance man: classical scholar, linguist, poet, playwright, musician, scientist, thinker, traveller, cosmologist, a man of intense curiosity. A very learned man that could tell strange things . His book of 100 love poems still intrigues, and musicologists admire his deft translations of Italian madrigals. He was a sociable companion, too, a loyal friend of poets and playwrights, and a wit- witty Tom Watson .Watson mixed with the highest in the land, including the Earl of Oxford’s literary clique and the rival house of Philip and Mary Sidney. He was a close friend of the atheist Christopher Marlowe, and colleague of the Roman Catholic composer William Byrd. Yet, Watson also mingled with the basest in society. He was a government agent, an acquaintance of the spy master Mr Secretary Walsingham and a loved companion of his nephew. Scrapes and scandals dogged his life and even his death in 1592 aged 37 is blemished by a question mark.

History has neglected Tom Watson. By examining his works and the culture in which he mixed, Ian Johnson attempts to get a measure of the man.