John James Audubon

John James Audubon (1785–1851), American, John James Audubon, originally named Jean-Jacques Rabin, was a French-American artist, naturalist, and ornithologist, renowned for his groundbreaking work in documenting North American bird species through art. Born on April 26, 1785, in Les Cayes, Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Audubon was the illegitimate son of a French naval officer and a chambermaid. His early life was marked by the death of his mother and his father's subsequent remarriage, which led to his relocation to France. There, he developed a passion for drawing and nature, skills that would define his career. Audubon's ambition to create a comprehensive visual record of American birds culminated in his masterpiece, 'The Birds of America' (1827–1839), a collection of life-sized prints celebrated for their accuracy and beauty. His contributions extended beyond art; he identified 25 new bird species, leaving a lasting legacy in ornithology. Despite his achievements, Audubon's life was not without controversy, including accusations of academic misconduct and criticism for his involvement in slavery and racist views. His name lives on through the National Audubon Society and numerous locations across the United States, testament to his enduring influence on natural history and art.