Patrick Brydone

Patrick Brydone, FRSE, FRS, FSA (Scot), FSA (1736 - 1818) was a Scottish traveller and author who served as Comptroller of the Stamp Office. He was born in Coldingham, Berwickshire, the son of Robert Brydone, the local Church of Scotland minister, and Elizabeth Dysart.

After attending St. Andrews University, he went abroad as travelling tutor or companion, with William Beckford and some other gentlemen. In 1767 or 1768, soon after his return from Switzerland, he went abroad again with Mr. Beckford of Somerly and two others as travelling preceptor. In 1770, he made a tour with these gentlemen through Sicily and Malta, the former island being but little known to travellers of that time. This tour forms the subject of his book, A Tour through Sicily and Malta, in a Series of Letters to William Beckford, Esq., of Somerly in Suffolk, published in 1773.

His work became popular for its descriptions, and earned the author admission to the Royal Society.