Researching Moses Griffith

Griffith, son of Edward Griffith, was born at Lapidon, Shropshire, in 1724, and educated at Shrewsbury School. He entered at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1742, and afterwards studied medicine at Leyden, where he graduated M.D. in 1744. He practised for many years in London, but in 1768 retired to Colchester, where he died in March 1785. He wrote Practical Observations on the Cure of the Hectic and Slow Fevers, and the Pulmonary Consumption, 1776. Griffith is credited with the invention of the useful compound iron mixture of the Pharmacopoeia.

Griffith was born at Trygarn House in the parish of Bryncroes on the Llŷn Peninsula, Caernarfonshire. His parents were of humble station, and he received a very elementary education but his artistic talent led to his being taken into service by Thomas Pennant about 1769. Pennant helped him to study drawing and engraving, and Griffith became his constant companion on his tours and excursions, making the drawings and engravings for Pennant's numerous works. Griffith became proficient both as a draughtsman and as an engraver. Griffith accompanied Pennant during his Tour of Wales and also visited Scotland, this became a basis of his career between 1769-1790. After Thomas' death, Griffith was employed by his son David and produced nearly 200 watercolors in Wales for him between 1805-1813.

On leaving Pennant's service he settled at Wibnant, near Holyhead, where he obtained plenty of employment as an engraver. He was alive in 1809, when he wrote a letter defending himself from an attack to the Gentleman's Magazine. Francis Grose employed Griffith to engrave some of the plates in his Antiquities.

Griffith also painted watercolours of Welsh scenes, churches, country houses, and portraits, including two self-portraits. His work is to be found in National Museum of Wales, British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.