John James Audubon

Date of Birth: April 26, 1785

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: January 27, 1851

Biography

John James Audubon was a renowned 19th-century naturalist, ornithologist, and painter, best known for his studies and illustrations of North American birds. Born in Haiti and raised in France, Audubon’s passion for nature led him to the United States, where he embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor to document and illustrate the continent’s avian species. His magnum opus, “The Birds of America,” is widely regarded as one of the finest ornithological works ever completed, combining scientific accuracy with artistic beauty. Audubon’s work continues to influence both the scientific community and the art world, and his legacy is preserved through institutions like the Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of natural habitats and the birds that inhabit them.

5 Interesting Facts about John James Audubon

1. John James Audubon was born Jean Rabin in Haiti to a French father and a Creole mother.

2. He was known for his ability to create lifelike illustrations, often depicting birds in dynamic poses, which was revolutionary at the time.

3. “The Birds of America” is one of the most valuable books in the world, with some copies fetching millions of dollars at auction.

4. Audubon was also a skilled taxidermist, which helped him study birds in great detail.

5. Despite his scientific contributions, Audubon had a controversial legacy; he was known to have owned slaves and had complicated views on race.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John James Audubon

1. “The more I learn about nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.”

2. “A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.”

3. “To have been torn from the study would have been as death; my heart was in it.”

4. “I wish I had eight pairs of hands, and another body to shoot the specimens.”

5. “The world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

John James Audubon did not achieve significant wealth during his lifetime, but his work “The Birds of America” has sold for as much as $11.5 million at auction in modern times.