Alexander Wilson | 1766-1813 | American Ornithology
He left Scotland because “he was poor, and had no prospect of bettering his condition in his native country” to become the author of American Ornithology, a nine-volume work published in 1808-1814. It took him six years of travels, observations, and paintings while trying to find a financial support for his work.
To Mr. William Bartram.
Savannah, March 5, 1809.
"Three months, my dear friend, are passed since I parted from you in Kingsess. I have been travelling ever since; and one half of my journey is yet to be performed — but that half is homewards, and through old Neptune's dominions, where I trust I shall not be long detained. This has been the most arduous, expensive, and fatiguing, expedition I ever undertook. I have, however, gained my point in procuring two hundred and fifty subscribers, in all, for my Ornithology; and a great mass of information respecting the birds that winter in the southern states, and some that never visit the middle states; and this information I have derived personally, and can therefore the more certainly depend upon it. I have, also, found several new birds, of which I can find no account in Linneus. All these things we will talk over when we meet.
[…]
I am utterly at a loss in my wood rambles here, for there are so many trees, shrubs, plants, and insects, that I know nothing of There are immense quantities of elegant butterflies, and other singular insects. I met with a grasshopper so big that I took it for a bird; it settles upon trees and bushes. I have kept a record of all the birds which I have seen or shot since I left home.
This journey will be of much use to me, as I have formed acquaintance in almost every place, who are able to transmit me information. Great numbers of our summer birds are already here; and many are usually here all winter.
There is a Mr. Abbot here, who has resided in Georgia thirty-three years, drawing insects and birds. I have been on several excursions with him. He is a very good observer, and paints well. He has published, in London, one large folio volume of the Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia. It is a very splendid work. There is only one vessel here bound to New York; she sails sometime next week, and I shall take my passage in her. I caught a fever here by getting wet; I hope the sea air, and sea-sickness, will carry it off."
Excerpted from
Sketch of the life of Alexander Wilson, author of the American ornithology by Ord, George, 1781-1866
Published 1828 by Philadelphia, H. Hall, online access at archive.org
Explore Wilson’s paintings in detail on Google Arts & Culture website. Explore all volumes here
Alexander Wilson (1766-1813), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons