Thomas Pennant

Thomas Pennant was born in North Wales to a wealthy landowning family, and was educated in London and Surrey before matriculating at Queen’s College, Oxford, in 1744. Although he failed to complete his degree, he was later given an horary doctorate for his zoological research. Pennant traveled widely and published prolifically on natural history; his books included British Zoology (1766), Indian Geology (1769), Genera of Birds (1773), A History of Quadripeds (1781),  and Arctic Zoology (1784-87). His many tours in Great Britain resulted in numerous publications, including his Tours in Wales (1778-83).