John James Audubon is well known now, but back in the early 19th century, he was an ambitious “nobody” who dreamed of packaging his wildlife paintings together into a book. After several heartbreaking setbacks, his career was in ruins—until he hatched a desperate plan to win new patrons. It involved a rare American eagle, the Bird of Washington. The gamble paid off, making Audubon the most famous ornithologist in history.

John James ‘Fraudubon’ Part 1

Distillations podcast explores the human stories behind science and technology, tracing a path through history in order to better understand the present.

John James ‘Fraudubon’ Part 1

Science History Institute