W. Talbot Thomas was a Louisvillian known for his sketches of historical scenes and photography.

As a youngster he lived in Old Louisville, where he came under the tutelage of Art Center founder Fayette Barnum, whom he described as the “sponsor” of his early art years. He studied architectural drawing at duPont Manual High School, then trained as a chemist. He went to work in 1939 at Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Inc. as an artist, but became production engineer for the distilling operation while also doing artwork and photography for the company.

Art became his hobby upon retirement in 1978. Thomas showed at the St. James Court Art Show for at least two decades and exhibited around town. In 1982 he showed his historical sketches at the Old Louisville Information Center, and in 1991 several of his pen-and-inks were put on permanent display at the City Hall in Middletown. He lived in Middletown and helped found the Middletown Historical Society and the Historic Middletown Museum. He was active in the Boy Scouts and Middletown United Methodist Church.