Alexander Wilson (1766-1813).

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American Ornithology, or The Natural History of the Birds of the United States: Illustrated with Plates, Engraved and Coloured from Original Drawings Taken from Nature. New York: Collins; Philadelphia: Harrison Hall, 1828-1829. 4 vols.

Alexander Wilson was born in Scotland where he was apprenticed as a weaver. He emigrated to America in 1794, settling in the outskirts of Philadelphia where he engaged in literary, scientific, and artistic pursuits. It was Wilson's acquaintance with the naturalist William Bartram that inspired him to research the birds of America. Commonly regarded as the "Father of American Ornithology," Wilson described approximately 280 species identified on his travels throughout the country. Working primarily from stuffed specimens, Wilson's drawings are accurate, but lack the inspiring lifelike qualities later found in Audubon's Birds of America.

John James Audubon first met Wilson in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1810 and shared his drawings with him. He encountered Wilson in Philadelphia again in 1812, but there is little evidence that the relationship evolved any further. Wilson died shortly after this second meeting.

The first edition, comprised of nine volumes describing 262 species, was published between 1808 and 1814

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American Ornithology; or, the Natural History of the Birds of the United States. By Alexander Wilson; with a continuation by Charles Lucian Bonaparte, prince of Musignano. The illustrative notes, and life of Wilson, by Sir William Jardine, Bart. F.R.S.E. F.L.S. London: Whittaker, Treacher & Arnot; Edinburgh, Stirling & Kenney, 1832.

This later edition of Wilson's original text (1808-1814) features contributions by Bonaparte and Jardine, naturalists and ornithologists, who combined their skills to expand and improve upon Wilson's classic opus.