Paisley-born Alexander Wilson is famed for his pioneering study and illustration of American birds. He is described as the ‘founder of American ornithology’ and noted as one of the leading naturalists of the early 19th century.
He began his working life in 1779 as an apprentice weaver, continuing in this profession until 1794 when he emigrated to America aged 27.
During this period, he wrote poetry, some of which included satirical views of the working conditions of Paisley weavers. These poems caused a scandal because of their libellous nature and one, which savagely criticised a mill owner, resulted in his arrest and imprisonment.
Wilson could not find work as a weaver upon his arrival in America and turned to teaching in Philadelphia, New Jersey and latterly Pennsylvania. There he encountered the ornithologist William Bartram who encouraged his interests in birds and art.
Wilson travelled widely across America for his research, painting the birds that he saw. This resulted in the nine-volume American Ornithology (1808–1814) which featured 268 species of birds, 26 of which had not previously been described.
It was an expensive work to produce, and Wilson spent a great deal of time attracting subscribers to fund his publication before embarking on further travel to sell subscriptions. He encountered the younger, also self-taught, ornithologist John J Audubon during this time, inspiring him to find and paint all the birds of America.
Wilson died in poverty with two of his volumes pending publication. These were completed by his friend and patron George Ord.
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