Charles Louis Ambroise Thomas (August 5, 1811 in Metz, France - February 12, 1896 in Paris) was a French composer and music teacher.Born as the son of a music teacher, he received his first lessons from his father. His family later sent Thomas to the Paris Conservatory in 1828. He won the Grand Prize of Rome in 1832. He gave operas "Le Cid" in 1849 and "Le songe D'Une Nuit d'Eté" in 1850. He became known around the world with "Mignon" staged at the Opera Comique in 1866, and was further strengthened by his opera "Hamlet" performed in 1871. In the same year, he was appointed as the director of the Paris Conservatory, replacing Auber.