Thomas Pennant (1726-1798)

Thomas Pennant (1726-1798) of Downing, Flintshire, was one of the leading British writers of natural history in the second half of the eighteenth century. He was also an antiquary of note, with a keen eye for topographical detail. He travelled widely in his native North Wales, in England and in Scotland and produced two 'Tours of Scotland' both of which won the acclaim of contemporaries. Samuel Johnson labelled him 'the best traveller I ever read; he observes more things than anyone else does'.