John James Audubon, French-American ornithologist and painter (died 1851)

John James Audubon was a French-American self-trained artist, naturalist, and ornithologist. His combined interests in art and ornithology turned into a plan to make a complete pictorial record of all the bird species of North America. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations, which depicted the birds in their natural habitats. His major work, a color-plate book titled The Birds of America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon is also known for identifying 25 new species. He is the eponym of the National Audubon Society, and his name adorns a large number of towns, neighborhoods, and streets across the United States. Dozens of scientific names first published by Audubon are still in use by the scientific community. Audubon was accused during his life as well as posthumously of academic fraud, plagiarism, and scientific misconduct; and more recently criticized for involvement in slavery and his racist writings.

April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 249 days remain until the end of the year.