John James Audubon

John James Audubon was a French-American self-trained artist, naturalist, and ornithologist. His combined interests in art and ornithology turned into a plan to make a complete pictorial record of all the bird species of North America. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations, which depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book titled The Birds of America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon is also known for identifying 25 new species. He is the eponym of the National Audubon Society, and his name adorns a large number of towns, neighborhoods, and streets across the United States. Dozens of scientific names first published by Audubon are still in use by the scientific community.

26 April 1785

Born on the same birth day (26 April): Alberto Quintano • Ambrose Dudley Mann • Bill Wennington • Carol Burnett • Francis Lai • Hack Wilson • Israr Ahmed • Jadwiga Staniszkis • Jay DeMarcus • Joey Jordison • Joey Wendle • José María López • Jules and Gédéon Naudet • Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily • Marianne Jean-Baptiste • Oscar Rabin • Richard Bradshaw (conductor) • Rudolf Hess • Samantha Cristoforetti • Tomoyuki Tanaka • Virgil Trucks

Born in the same month (April 1785): Alexandre Boëly • Bettina von Arnim