Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn

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Richard Pennant, 1st Baron Penrhyn (1737-1808) was a slave owner, anti-abolitionist Member of Parliament (MP) and Irish peer. He was MP for Peterfield from 1761-1767, then becoming one of Liverpool's members from 1767-1780, and again from 1784 until 1790 when he offered his seat to Sir Banastre Tarleton who continued his anti-abolitionist activities. He was prominent in the development of the Welsh slate industry. He was created 1st Baron Penrhyn of Penrhyn in the county of Lough in 1783, however he was not disqualified from standing for elections to the Westminster House of Commons after this as his peerage was Irish.

Pennant owned vast properties in Caernarvonshire and Jamaica, as well as hundreds of his own labourers. He inherited from his wife, Ann Susannah Pennant nee Warburton; the daughter of General Hugh Warburton. His entire estate was inherited by his cousin, George Hay Dawkins (1763-1840). Dawkin's daughter Juliana and her husband were named as co-heirs of the estate on the condition that they took the surname Pennant (which they duly accepted). Dawkin's son-in-law, Edward Gordon Douglas, was later created Baron Penrhyn.