John Pinkerton John Pinkerton (17 February 1758 – 10 March 1826) was a Scottish antiquarian, cartographer, essayist, numismatist, historian depending on the topic and a founder of the thesis of Germanic racial supremacy. He was one of three sons born to James Pinketon and Mary (née Heron or Bowie) Pinkerton in Edinburgh. He spent some of his early childhood years in the city's neighborhood before moving to Lanark. His studious youth provided him with broad knowledge of the Classics, and it is known that he enjoyed translating Roman authors such as Livy as a child. After graduating from Edinburgh University, he stayed in the city to begin an apprenticeship in law. His scholastic interests, however, caused him to forsake the legal profession after he began authoring Elegy on Craigmillar Castle, which was first published in 1776. Read More Read Less