Alexander Wilson

Alexander Wilson 1766-1813, American ornithologist, b. Scotland. He came to the United States c.1794 and taught in rural New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Encouraged by William Bartram , he studied the birds of his adopted country, learned to portray them, and began his American Ornithology (9 vol., 1808-14), a work that is noted for its accuracy and sensitive draftsmanship. The last two volumes of this series of books were completed by his friend and biographer (1829), George Ord, after Wilson's death. Wilson is also known for his poems and essays on nature.

Wilson, Alexander (1766–1813), Scottish‐born ornithologist, emigrated to the U.S. (1794) and was urged by William Bartram to begin the scientific investigation which culminated in American Ornithology (9 vols., 1808–14), dealing with the eastern part of the U.S. north of Florida. The work is considered both accurate and brilliant, and, preceding Audubon by some 20 years, was the pioneer study in its field. His nature poems, published in The Foresters (1805) and Poems: Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect … (1816), are less important.