# Thomas Pennant

> Welsh naturalist (1726-1798)

**Wikidata**: [Q545123](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q545123)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Pennant)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-pennant

## Summary
Thomas Pennant was a Welsh naturalist who lived from 1726 to 1798. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and made significant contributions to the fields of botany, ornithology, and zoology through his extensive writings and observations.

## Biography
- Born: 14 June 1726
- Nationality: Welsh
- Education: Oriel College, University of Oxford
- Known for: Natural history writings and discoveries
- Employer(s): Fellow of the Royal Society
- Field(s): Natural history, botany, ornithology, zoology

## Contributions
Thomas Pennant authored numerous influential works on natural history, including detailed studies of British fauna. His publications covered ornithology, botany, and zoology, documenting species and their habitats. Pennant's work contributed to the scientific understanding of British wildlife and helped establish systematic approaches to natural history documentation. He described several species that now bear his name, including Pennant's colobus, the Crimson Rosella, and the fisher.

## FAQs
What was Thomas Pennant's primary field of study?
Thomas Pennant was primarily a naturalist who studied botany, ornithology, and zoology, focusing on documenting British wildlife and natural history.

Where did Thomas Pennant receive his education?
Thomas Pennant was educated at Oriel College, University of Oxford.

What organizations was Thomas Pennant affiliated with?
Thomas Pennant was a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific organizations in Britain.

What species are named after Thomas Pennant?
Several species bear Pennant's name, including Pennant's colobus (a mammal), the Crimson Rosella (a bird), and the fisher (a mammal).

What was Thomas Pennant's nationality?
Thomas Pennant was Welsh, born in Wales in 1726.

## Why They Matter
Thomas Pennant's systematic documentation of British wildlife established important foundations for natural history studies in Britain. His detailed observations and publications provided crucial baseline data for understanding species distribution and behavior. Pennant's work influenced subsequent generations of naturalists and helped standardize approaches to wildlife documentation. His contributions to ornithology, botany, and zoology remain valuable reference materials for researchers studying historical biodiversity patterns.

## Notable For
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Author of influential natural history texts
- Documented numerous British species
- Described species that now bear his name
- Educated at Oxford University
- Welsh naturalist of the 18th century
- Systematic approach to wildlife documentation

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Thomas Pennant was born on 14 June 1726 in Wales. He received his education at Oriel College, University of Oxford, where he developed his interest in natural history. His academic background provided him with the foundation for his later work as a naturalist and author.

### Scientific Career and Royal Society Fellowship
Pennant became a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific organizations in Britain. This fellowship recognized his contributions to natural history and provided him with a platform to share his research with other leading scientists of his time. His membership connected him with the broader scientific community in Great Britain and beyond.

### Major Publications and Research
Throughout his career, Pennant authored numerous influential works on natural history. His publications covered ornithology, botany, and zoology, documenting species and their habitats with detailed observations. These works became important reference materials for understanding British wildlife and established systematic approaches to natural history documentation that influenced subsequent generations of naturalists.

### Species Documentation and Discoveries
Pennant's research led to the documentation of numerous British species. His careful observations and detailed descriptions contributed significantly to the scientific understanding of British fauna. Several species were named in his honor, including Pennant's colobus (a mammal), the Crimson Rosella (a bird), and the fisher (a mammal), recognizing his contributions to their discovery and documentation.

### Legacy in Natural History
Thomas Pennant's systematic approach to wildlife documentation established important foundations for natural history studies in Britain. His detailed observations provided crucial baseline data for understanding species distribution and behavior. Pennant's work influenced subsequent generations of naturalists and helped standardize approaches to wildlife documentation that remain relevant to researchers studying historical biodiversity patterns today.

## References

1. Dictionary of Welsh Biography
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. The Peerage
5. Bionomia
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. International Plant Names Index
10. [Source](http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/a/A13530954)
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Base biographique
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Pennant%20Thomas)
16. Pennant, Thomas (1)
17. CERL Thesaurus
18. LIBRIS. 2018
19. [Bionomia](https://bionomia.net/dataset/7e380070-f762-11e1-a439-00145eb45e9a)
20. Digital Scriptorium Catalog
21. Catalogo of the National Library of India