John Abbot's Birds of Georgia: Selected Drawings from the Houghton Library, Harvard University

by John Abbott

Selected drawings by early artist-naturalist John Abbot, presented in full color and size. For more than sixty years, from the Revolution till his death about 1840, the English-born John Abbot explored southeastern Georgia, collecting specimens and making delicate drawings that he sent to European collectors. Sustained by the joy of his work and the approval of a few connoisseurs, Abbot helped other naturalists achieve fame using his work and never sought publication for himself. Amazingly, this selection of his bird drawings from the Houghton Library at Harvard University is the first publication in book form of any of his bird drawings. These are reproduced in full color and full size, with a lengthy historical introduction, scholarly notes and a catalogue of 25 known Abbot drawings.

25 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book . . . lengthy introduction describes the life and work of John Abbot, an English amateur naturalist who spent most of his life in Georgia's Savannah River Valley (staying through the Revolution and on into independence). His collections of insects and his detailed drawings of both insects and birds added much to the growing knowledge of the times. Particularly enjoyed the beautiful water color of the ivory billed woodpecker.