EXHIBIT 99.1



NEWS RELEASE
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Date:         May 20, 2004
Contact:      Joe L. Powers
              Executive Vice President
              P.O. Box 141000
              Nashville, TN  37214-1000
Phone:        (615) 902-1300
Fax:          (615) 883-6353
Website:      www.thomasnelson.com

            THOMAS NELSON DECLARES CASH DIVIDEND

NASHVILLE, TN, May 20, 2004.  Thomas Nelson, Inc. (NYSE:TNM) today
announced that the Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of
$0.04 (four cents) per share for each Common and Class B Common share
outstanding.  This represents an indicated annual cash dividend of
$0.16 (sixteen cents) per share.  The dividend is payable July 19,
2004 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 5, 2004.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. is a leading publisher and distributor of books
emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes and believes
it is the largest publisher of Bibles and inspirational books.  For more
information, visit the Company's website at www.thomasnelson.com.

Thomas Nelson's stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (TNM-NYSE).

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