Holywell Library and Learners’ Centre will be hosting the Annual Pennant Lecture on Wednesday 19 October 2011, at 7.30pm.
Cymdeithas Thomas Pennant has invited Dr Paul Evans, a valued founder member of the group and one of its committed scholars, to deliver this year’s lecture entitled ‘Thomas Pennant and the North American Connection’.
Dr Evans read history at Swansea University and gained a PhD. for his research on the life and work of Thomas Pennant. He has taught history in high schools in Ruthin and Denbigh for 27 years and is Chief Examiner for GCSE history with the WJEC Examination Board. Dr Evans is the author of several GCSE history books and was editor of the Clwyd Library Service edition of Pennant’s ‘History of Whiteford and Holywell’.
The lecture will look at Pennant’s work as a naturalist, concentrating on his distinguished work ‘Arctic Zoology’, examining how the book was written through the contact the author made with naturalists in North America and exploring the work of eighteenth century natural history and its practitioners.
Thomas Pennant (1726-1798) was a world renowned naturalist and traveller of his day. He lived at Downing, Whitford, near Holywell. The Pennant group exists to celebrate his achievements and promote further study of his life. The 15th Annual Lecture will be an interesting and stimulating evening, continuing an established tradition of engaging expert speakers to add to the body of knowledge about Thomas Pennant.
Pennant Lectures are always well attended. Tickets are available at Holywell Library, priced at £3 (concessions £2). Places are strictly limited, so advance purchase is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment on the night.
For further details phone the library on 01352 713157.