John James Audubon

There are a lot of misconceptions about famed naturalist John James Audubon (April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851). Let’s try to set the record straight on a man with a strong legacy whose 226th birthday we are celebrating today, April 26th.

1. John James Audubon was born a French citizen. His real name was Jean-Jacques Audubon and he was born in Les Cayes in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) on his father’s sugar plantation.

2. John James Audubon was the illegitimate son of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, a French naval officer (and privateer), and his mistress Jeanne Rabin, a chambermaid recently arrived from France.

3. During a visit to Philadelphia in 1812, following Congress’ declaration of war with Great Britain, Audubon gave up his French citizenship to become an American citizen.

4. Audubon sometimes used his drawing talent to trade for goods or sell small works to raise cash. He made charcoal portraits on demand at $5 each and gave drawing lessons.

5. Audubon’s writings are peppered with references to Church and God who Audubon describes as “the perfect artist”.