John James Audubon

John James Audubon (1785 - 1851, American) produced the unrivaled and legendary Birds of America between 1827 - 1838, having spent the previous several years scouring America's south and west for birds. He spent several years in England garnering support for his publishing project because American printers lacked the capacity for such an undertaking. Return visits to America resulted in discovery of new birds, bringing the total species to 489 depicted on 435 plates.

Though the double elephant sized edition was not terribly profitable, if at all, the folio edition produced in the United States earned him the wealth which had so eluded him previously.

In addition to painting birds, Audubon also earned a living painting portraits, in the early days at 5 dollars a head.

His life's journey took him from St. Domigue, his place of birth, to France, and then the United States where he died in 1851.