Of London (1790)

Thomas Pennant (1726 - 1798) was born in Donning Hall, near Whitford, Flintshire, in North Wales. He was educated in Queen's College and in Oriel College, Oxford. A naturalist, travel writer, and antiquarian, he wrote numerous books on these subjects, which earned him praise for his powers of observation and shedding light into relatively obscure locations. Thanks to a wide circle of friends, correspondents, and field observers, he was adept at compiling other people's observations and ideas, and producing very readable travel guides. Samuel Johnson, who was influenced by his writings, praised him as 'the best traveller I have ever read'. Pennant was a member of the Royal Society, the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and the Royal Swedish Society of Sciences; he has over twenty species named after him.