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Alexander Wilson (1766-1813)
Scottish born Alexander Wilson's reputation and work has been eclipsed by that of his contemporary, John James Audubon. Coming to America at 28, Wilson took work as a school teacher but became consumed by studying the birds he saw. He sent his early drawings to his neighbor, William Bartram, the country's most famous naturalist at the time, for comment and correction. He wrote poetry and prose; leaving over 100 letters published during his lifetime detailing his attempts to publish a comprehensive work on American ornithology.
