Thomas Nuttall (January 5, 1786 –  September 10, 1859) is an English botanist and zoologist who lives and works in America from 1808 until 1841.

Nuttall is born in the village of Long Preston, near Settle in the West Riding of Yorkshire and spends some years as an apprentice printer in England.

Soon after going to the United States he meets Professor Benjamin Smith Barton in Philadelphia.

Barton encourages his strong interest in natural history.