Arthur Young (1741 – 1820) was an English agriculturist, writer, and social observer known for his detailed accounts of 18th-century farming practices. Although unsuccessful as a farmer himself, he gained influence through his writings, particularly Annals of Agriculture, a 45-volume collection on agricultural improvement.
Born in London, he took over his family estate in Suffolk but struggled financially. His travels across Britain, Ireland, and France provided first-hand insight into rural economies, shaping his views on land reforms. His Travels in France (1792) remains a valuable account of pre-revolutionary and revolutionary France.
Young became Secretary of the Board of Agriculture (1793), promoting rural improvements. His later years were marked by blindness, but his contributions to agricultural economics and policy endured. He died in 1820, recognized as a pioneer in modern farming analysis.