Exeter man Joseph Pitts (1663?-1739) was the first Englishman to perform the Hajj and visit Mecca and Medina. He published a fascinating account of his travels and observations in 1704.

Exeter university’s Paul Auchterlonie has written a definitive work covering Pitts and the context, published in 2011. Cover shown here.

Ghee Bowman has written a summary account of Pitts and his life.