Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 2 (of 2)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

58984

Title

Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time. Vol. 2 (of 2)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume chronicles the turbulent professional life of John J. Audubon, focusing on his contentious relationship with contemporary naturalist William Swainson. Through reproduced correspondence and historical analysis, the text explores the rivalry over the authorship of the *Ornithological Biography*, the controversial Quinarian classification system, and the personal sacrifices Audubon made to preserve his legacy and his New York estate against urban development.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume II of *Audubon the Naturalist* by Francis Hobart Herrick explores the complex scientific and social landscape of John J. Audubon during the 1830s and beyond. The narrative centers on the evolving relationship between Audubon and his friend William Swainson, a distinguished zoologist who championed the mystical "Quinarian" system of classification. Despite their initial camaraderie and shared travels, friction arose over scientific credit and personal grievances, particularly regarding the authorship of the *Ornithological Biography*. This tension is vividly illustrated through a series of letters exchanged between 1830 and 1831, where Audubon defends his work against accusations of plagiarism while managing the monumental task of producing his *Birds of America* plates. The volume details how Swainson's financial struggles and his rigid adherence to the "Circular System" of classification eventually strained their bond, highlighting the competitive nature of the naturalist community. Beyond these interpersonal dynamics, the text addresses the physical fate of Audubon's original copper plates. It notes that two specific plates—the Purple Martin and the Whippoorwill—were secretly retained by Audubon's son, John Woodhouse Audubon, and later recovered. The narrative also provides a poignant account of Audubon's New York estate. As the city expanded, his historic houses were altered or demolished by encroaching infrastructure, including railroads. The volume describes how the family property was eventually sold, with the original house standing only briefly before being modified and finally lost to urban development. A significant portion of the work concludes with an examination of Audubon's family history, including medical bills from his father's time in the Caribbean and a detailed genealogy of his descendants. This genealogical record highlights the enduring legacy of the Audubon family, tracing their influence in both natural history and American society through subsequent generations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Science