​BEIGHTON, THOMAS (1790–1844), missionary, was born at Ednaston, Derbyshire, on 25 Dec. 1790. He was educated by the liberality of a Unitarian minister, but adopted evangelical principles, and was sent by the London Missionary Society as a missionary to Malacca. In 1819 he was stationed at Penang. Besides teaching in schools and holding religious services, he set up a printing-press, from which he issued works in the Malay language. He translated into Malay and issued from his press parts of the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' Baxter's 'Saints' Rest,' and the Anglican liturgy. On a rumour that the mission was to be removed, a petition against his removal, signed by fifty-six native merchants and others, was sent in. He died at Penang on 14 April 1844.