Thomas Pennant Barton (1803 – April 5, 1869) was an American diplomat and bibliophile who is primarily remembered for the collection of books by and relating to William Shakespeare and English drama that he amassed between 1834 and 1869.

Throughout much of the nineteenth century, Barton was considered by many to be the preeminent collector of the works of William Shakespeare in the United States.

[5] Barton apparently began his book collecting in 1834 while attached to his father-in-law's diplomatic mission in Paris and continued, in earnest, through 1866.

[10] Barton's primary collecting interest was in the works of William Shakespeare and, in particular, in the early quarto and folio editions of his plays and poems.

[11] John Alden refers to Barton as "the first American to form an extensive, purposeful collection of Shakespeariana.

"[12] Indeed, his participation in the Heber sale (1834-1836) marked a watershed moment in the history of American Shakespeare collecting.

The condition of his books was a major concern for Barton, and he sought out only the finest copies of any given editions available on the market.

Her paternal grandparents were Judge Robert Livingston, a member of the New York Provincial Assembly and a Judge of the New York Supreme Court of Judicature, and Margaret (née Beekman) Livingston, heir to immense tracts of land in Dutchess and Ulster counties.