Thomas Pennant (June  14, 1726 - December 16 1798) was a Welsh naturalist, traveller, writer and antiquarian. Despite living his whole life at his family estate, in Wales, he earned fame as a travel writer. Twenty five published works are known, twelve of which had a geographical focus. His popular books on Scotland, the Hebrides, Wales, and London were based on his own travels. He conceived of a fourteen-volume project, his 'Outlines of the Globe,' which would encompass the rest of the world and for which he intended to draw on the observations of other travelers. Only two volumes appeared before his death, covering India and Ceylon. Volumes three and four, including Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Australia were published posthumously by his son, David.