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John James Audubon's Birth.
A date important to all historical figures is their date of birth. This is associated as a day of happiness for that individual and their family. However, for John James Audubon it was joyous and a tradgedy. For although he was born on this day, it was also the day his mother died. However, it was Audubon's birth date none the less. It was a day the world looked over. Little did they know that this boy would shape the history of animal research and the world forever. -
Audubon Moves to France
It was in 1789 that John James Audubon, his father, and step sister moved to France to live with his step sister's mom. This changed the enviorment audubon grew up in which may have induced some reason for choices he made. For example, it is here he developed his love for nature as a boy which inspired his career. -
Adoption
SInce Audubon and his step-sister were both born before their parents were wed; they were officially adopted in 1794. -
Audubon in America
For fear of his son being drafted into Napolean's army, Audubon's father sent him to pennsylvania. This opened many doors for Audubon as well as the freedom to pursue his childhood passion of art and hunting. For even as a kid he loved drawing birds, and taught himself hunting when tired of school work. -
Life in America
SInce there was no such thing as a naturalist at the time audubon had to work for his father's business agency. This prevented him from doing as he wished and, was required to spend his free time hunting birds. He later developed a way to insert wires into the corpses of birds. He then put them in natural poses to sketch them. -
Partnership
In 1805 however, he quickly returned to France after a tedious battle with the agency. In france he met an associate of his father, Ferdinand Rozier. The two then left for America started a lead mine. This was Audubon's first independent business choice in America. -
Failure On The Rise.
The partners decide to move west to Kentucky. However, many failures follow in cities of Kentucky. A great portion of this was caused by Audubon, who was always out hunting and sketching birds. Because Audubon was so busy with this he was never there to man the stores and other business matters. -
Marriage
Early spring Audubon met Lucy Bakewell, the daughter of a fellow co-worker. Eventually Audubon fell in love. She fully supported Audubon's passion and was overtaken with his looks. They actually made a great couple. -
A Son Is Born.
Victor Gifford Audubon, first son of John James Audubon is born. I truly belive that just like with any father this was a truly giddy ocassion for Audubon. -
Rivalry Begins
It was in 1810 that Audubon met his soon to be rival ornothologist, Alexander Hamilton. THough it seemed harmless at first, it was this very rivalry that helped Audubon make the decisions leading up to the publishings of his volumes. -
Failure Complete.
After Audubon and other business partners began to try out several more businesses they failed. This led Audubon into bankruptcy, he now had only his wife, gun, paintings, art supplies, and the clothes on his back. -
The Sun Will Come Up Tommorow
Audubon travels to Cincinatti, Ohio. Here he becomes a taxidermist in the Western Museum. This opened many new doors for him. Now he was able to go down to the mississippi river where he could hunt and paint even more birds. To pay for his expenses he sold some of his paintings. However, it was his wife's job as a tutor that really supported for the family. Noetheless they were happy. -
Europe Again
Hoping to find a publisher, Audubon set out for Philadelphia. However, he met a rival ornothologist, Alexander Hamilton. As a result he decided to go to Europe for urther interest in his art. -
Publication
Traveling through Liverpool, England, Edinburgh, Scotland, and London, England. In these cities he set up subscribers for his volumes. Eventually a London publisher had agreed on publication of his volumes. -
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Birds Of America
Between this time all of Audubon's volumes had been published and reprinted. Finally, all of Audubon's hard work to get his volumes published had come true. In addition the branches of his efforts bore fruit. For his drawings had brought him immediate fame. -
Fame and Fortune
By this Time Audubon had been revered as the most talented naturalist of his country. This was a truly prestigeous honor that must've boosted his self confidence. audubon became known for the first great collection of American birds drawn as close to their natural habitat as possible. -
Later Years
After finishing his masterpiece The Ornithological Biography, he ventured back to America to make a miniature or pocket edition of the book. It was then that his sons and John Bachman helped him with drawings for his new book, Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. -
Retirement
Audubon bought an estate on the Hudson river where he lived out the rest of his life. Here he taught young scientists and was thought of as the American Woodsman, The Great Lover of Birds. -
Death
Audubon had recently suffered from a great illness. It was on this night that he had a slight stroke. Full body paralasys followed as he was overcome by enormous pain. The next morning on the 27th THe Great Bird Lover, John James Audubon perished. However, his legacy was not forgotten. In his memory the Audubon bird society was formed and now his research is legendary. When I look back on this man's life I simply cannot help but admire him. -
A Final Publishing
Despite the unfortunate death of Audubon, the book which he and John Bachman collaberated on was finally published. Although it was a bittersweet event I believe it was the honorable thing to do for Audubon's namesake.
