Thomas Pakenham (historian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Longford
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|---|---|
| Earl of Longford | |
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| Tenure | 3 August 2001 – present |
| Predecessor | Frank Longford |
| Born | Thomas Francis Dermot Pakenham 14 August 1933 |
| Spouse(s) |
Valerie Susan Scott
(after 1964) |
| Issue | 4 |
| Parents | The 7th Earl of Longford Elizabeth Harman |
Thomas Pakenham (born 14 August 1933) is a famous historian and expert on trees. He is known for writing many award-winning books. His books cover different topics like African history, British history from the Victorian era, and, of course, trees. He is from both Irish and English backgrounds.
Early Life and Family
Thomas Pakenham is the oldest son of Frank Longford. His father was a government minister for the Labour Party in the UK. His mother was Elizabeth Longford, a well-known author.
Thomas has seven brothers and sisters. Many of them are also famous writers. His sister, Lady Antonia Fraser, is an award-winning historian. Another sister, Lady Rachel Billington, is also a writer. Lady Judith Kazantzis is a poet. His brother, The Hon. Kevin Pakenham, worked in finance. Thomas Pakenham is also a cousin of Harriet Harman, a former political leader.
Thomas Pakenham does not use his title of Earl of Longford. He prefers to be known simply as Thomas Pakenham. Even though he has inherited titles, he does not use them in his daily life.
Thomas Pakenham's Family
In 1964, Thomas Pakenham married Valerie Susan McNair Scott. She was the daughter of Major Ronald Guthrie McNair Scott. Thomas and Valerie had four children together:
- Lady Anna Maria Pakenham, born 26 July 1965
- Lady Eliza Pakenham, born 3 November 1966
- Edward Melchior Pakenham, born 6 January 1970. He is often called Ned Silchester or Ned Pakenham.
- The Hon. Frederick Augustus Pakenham, born 27 November 1971
Valerie Pakenham, his wife, passed away on 22 January 2023. She was 83 years old.
Education and Career
Thomas Pakenham went to school at Belvedere College in Dublin, Ireland. It is a private school run by Jesuits. After that, he studied at Magdalen College, Oxford University.
After finishing college in 1955, he traveled around Ethiopia. He wrote about his journey in his first book, The Mountains of Rasselas, published in 1959. When he returned to Britain, he worked for different newspapers. He was on the editorial team for the Times Educational Supplement. Later, he worked for The Sunday Telegraph and The Observer.
Today, Thomas Pakenham spends his time between London and County Westmeath, Ireland. In Ireland, he is the Chairman of the Irish Tree Society. He also helps look after Tullynally Castle.
