Episode 57: John James Audubon


"John James Audubon 1826" by John Syme (Art via Wikipedia)
“John James Audubon 1826” by John Syme (Art via Wikipedia)

Today marks the 230th anniversary of the birth of naturalist John James Audubon.

Here are a few things you may not have known about Audubon:

First: The author of “Birds of America” and inspiration for the Audubon Society was born to French parents in what is now Haiti in 1785.

Second: At age 18, Audubon emigrated to the United States, where he lived in poverty until traveling to England to begin publishing “Birds of America” between 1827 and 1838.

Third: In 2010 a complete first edition of “Birds of America” sold at auction in London for 7.3 million pounds (approximately $11.5 million U.S.)

Fourth: Audubon died of what would later be called Alzheimer’s disease in 1848.

Our question: While Audubon was touring England and Scotland raising money to publish “Birds of America,” one of his demonstrations was attended by what future noted naturalist?

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