Thomas Hooker (1586?-1647), American Congregationalist clergyman, born in Markfield, near Leicester, England, and educated at the University of Cambridge. He was pastor of several churches from 1620 until 1630, when he was called to appear before the Court of High Commission for nonconformist views. He fled to Holland, where he preached for three years, and then went to New England, settling first in Massachusetts and after 1636 in Connecticut. He was the leader of the new settlement in Hartford and of the surrounding towns and in 1639 had a leading part in framing the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. He was also an early proponent of the New England Confederation.