U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 8-A

                FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                             THE THOMSON CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             ONTARIO                                 98-0176673
(State of incorporation or organization)  (IRS Employer Identification No.)
                                  Metro Center
                                One Station Place
                              Stamford, Connecticut
                               United States 06902
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:




Title of Each Class             Name of Each Exchange on Which
to be so Registered:            Each Class is to be Registered:
--------------------            -------------------------------
                             
Common Shares, no par value     New York Stock Exchange



If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A(c), check the following box. [X]

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A(d), check the following box. [ ]

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
333-87412

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Item 1.  Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.

      The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the description of the
common shares under the caption "Description of Share Capital" set forth in the
Preliminary Prospectus dated May 16, 2002 relating to the common shares and
forming a part of the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-10
of the Registrant (File No. 333-87412) (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the "Registration Statement"). For the purpose
of such description any prospectus supplement relating to the Registration
Statement filed pursuant to General Instruction II.L. under Form F-10 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended which purports to describe the common shares
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein.

Item 2.  Exhibits.

      All exhibits required to be filed by Instruction II to Item 2 will be
provided to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.


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SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                                          THE THOMSON CORPORATION

                                          By: /s/ David J. Hulland
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                  David J. Hulland
                                            Senior Vice President, Finance

Date:  June 5, 2002


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                                  EXHIBIT INDEX




EXHIBIT NO.                                  DESCRIPTION
-----------                                  -----------
                                          
All exhibits required by Instruction II to Item 2 have been or will be supplied
to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.



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