Thomas L. Jennings (January 1, 1791 – February 13, 1856) was an African-American inventor, tradesman, entrepreneur, and abolitionist in New York City, New York. He has the distinction of being the first African-American patent-holder in history; he was granted the patent in 1821 for his novel method of dry cleaning. Jennings' invention, along with his business expertise, yielded a significant personal fortune much of which he put into the Abolitionist movement in the United States.