Henry A. McGhie – författare

This two-volume set explores some of the main themes in 19th century ornithology, as it was understood at the time. For most of the century, British ornithology was dominated by wealthy middle-class and upper-class men. These ‘amateurs’ (an ahistorical term) interacted in a system of societies, publications and collecting practices. Ornithology held an especially high status among natural history topics, and ornithologists typically held high positions in natural history society and societies. The emphasis of what constituted ornithology was different from later times, dominated by the description of ‘new’ species and establishing their distribution. The endeavour of collecting, preserving, naming and describing was, of course, contemporaneous with colonial and imperial expansion, and the system that brought great numbers of specimens to British private collections and museums mirrored the flow of natural resources for more overtly economic purposes.These two volumes cover ‘Ornithology at Home’ and ‘Ornithology Abroad’. The two volumes are not split in a strictly geographic sense, but aim to help the reader explore what ornithology was like in Britain (with its societies, institutions and characters), and what ornithology was like abroad in the sense of exploring what ornithologists were doing beyond Britain. The volumes aim to help the reader gain an insight into the interplay of personal travel, collecting, collectors’ networks, access to specimens and publishing in the lives of 19th century ornithologists. Paying attention to the social and political contexts in which ornithologists operated, and to the birds that were the subject of their passions, provides a rich exploration of what birds meant in the lives of these people, and what it meant to be an ornithologist.

Volume 1, Ornithology at Home, includes readings from the prespective of ornithology in Britain. Readings are selected from key British ornithologists, including Gilbert White, Thomas Bewick and John Gould. John James Audubon appears in this volume, as his lasting fame and his monumental books were secured in Britain (rather than in America). Readings in this volume explore the establishment of natural history journals (such as the Zoologist and the Ibis). Other readings cover the development of the early bird protection laws in the mid and late 19th century. The volume concludes with some 'outliers' from the main thrust of British ornithology: the artist Joseph Wolf, William Tegetmeier (who specialised in domesticated birds) and Charles Darwin.

Volume 2, Ornithology Abroad, focusses on ornithological activity beyond Britain. The volume commences with readings related to ornithology and the quest for the North West Passage. These are followed by a reading from Alexander Wilson, a Scot who emigrated to America and found fame (if not fortune) as an ornithologist, illustrator and author. Staying in America, the next readings cover the expansion of the Smithsonian Institution and systematised collecting, and the experiences of Henry Dresser, who travelled in Texas during the American Civil War. The theoretical aspects of distribution are covered in readings from Philip Sclater and Alfred Wallace. Readings on the birds of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Arctic and discoveries by British colonial officials, explore the strong connections between birds, colonialism and imperialism. The volume concludes with two readings from Charles Darwin, on the finches and mockingbirds of the Galapagos.

Volume 1, Ornithology at Home, includes readings from the prespective of ornithology in Britain. Readings are selected from key British ornithologists, including Gilbert White, Thomas Bewick and John Gould. John James Audubon appears in this volume, as his lasting fame and his monumental books were secured in Britain (rather than in America). Readings in this volume explore the establishment of natural history journals (such as the Zoologist and the Ibis). Other readings cover the development of the early bird protection laws in the mid and late 19th century. The volume concludes with some 'outliers' from the main thrust of British ornithology: the artist Joseph Wolf, William Tegetmeier (who specialised in domesticated birds) and Charles Darwin.

Volume 2, Ornithology Abroad, focusses on ornithological activity beyond Britain. The volume commences with readings related to ornithology and the quest for the North West Passage. These are followed by a reading from Alexander Wilson, a Scot who emigrated to America and found fame (if not fortune) as an ornithologist, illustrator and author. Staying in America, the next readings cover the expansion of the Smithsonian Institution and systematised collecting, and the experiences of Henry Dresser, who travelled in Texas during the American Civil War. The theoretical aspects of distribution are covered in readings from Philip Sclater and Alfred Wallace. Readings on the birds of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Arctic and discoveries by British colonial officials, explore the strong connections between birds, colonialism and imperialism. The volume concludes with two readings from Charles Darwin, on the finches and mockingbirds of the Galapagos.

Volume 1, Ornithology at Home, includes readings from the prespective of ornithology in Britain. Readings are selected from key British ornithologists, including Gilbert White, Thomas Bewick and John Gould. John James Audubon appears in this volume, as his lasting fame and his monumental books were secured in Britain (rather than in America). Readings in this volume explore the establishment of natural history journals (such as the Zoologist and the Ibis). Other readings cover the development of the early bird protection laws in the mid and late 19th century. The volume concludes with some ‘outliers’ from the main thrust of British ornithology: the artist Joseph Wolf, William Tegetmeier (who specialised in domesticated birds) and Charles Darwin.

Volume 2, Ornithology Abroad, focusses on ornithological activity beyond Britain. The volume commences with readings related to ornithology and the quest for the North West Passage. These are followed by a reading from Alexander Wilson, a Scot who emigrated to America and found fame (if not fortune) as an ornithologist, illustrator and author. Staying in America, the next readings cover the expansion of the Smithsonian Institution and systematised collecting, and the experiences of Henry Dresser, who travelled in Texas during the American Civil War. The theoretical aspects of distribution are covered in readings from Philip Sclater and Alfred Wallace. Readings on the birds of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Arctic and discoveries by British colonial officials, explore the strong connections between birds, colonialism and imperialism. The volume concludes with two readings from Charles Darwin, on the finches and mockingbirds of the Galapagos.