A History of John James Audubon

Kentucky History Channel

22 Jul 202202:32

Summary

TLDRJohn James Audubon, born in 1785 in Haiti, was raised by his father's wife after his biological mother's death. He had a passion for drawing birds, which led to his legacy as a renowned artist and naturalist. He moved to the U.S. in 1803, marrying Lucy Backwell in 1808, and faced financial hardships, losing children and spending time in jail. Audubon's most famous work, 'Birds of America,' was published between 1827 and 1838. However, his life is also marked by controversial views on race and slavery, along with accusations of plagiarism and academic fraud.

Takeaways

🦜 John James Audubon was born in April 1785 in what is now Haiti, on his father's plantation.
👶 Audubon's biological mother, Jeanne Rabin, died after his birth, and he was raised by his father's wife, Anne Moynet Audubon.
🖊️ Audubon did not enjoy school but had a passion for drawing birds from a young age.
🇺🇸 He moved to the United States in 1803, managed his father’s plantation in Pennsylvania, and married Lucy Backwell in 1808.
🏬 In 1807, he opened a store in Louisville and later moved the business to Henderson, Kentucky, in 1810.
🎨 By 1810, Audubon had drawn over 200 birds, and his sons, Victor and John, became artists as well.
😔 After suffering financial troubles and the loss of his daughter Lucy, Audubon moved several times, residing in Kentucky, Ohio, and Louisiana.
📚 Audubon is best known for his major work, *Birds of America*, published between 1827 and 1838.
🪦 Audubon passed away on January 27, 1851, and his works can be viewed at the John James Audubon Memorial Museum in Kentucky.
⚖️ Audubon's legacy is controversial due to his views on race, support for slavery, and involvement in academic fraud and unethical practices.

Q & A

Where was John James Audubon born, and what were the circumstances of his birth?
-John James Audubon was born in April 1785 in what is now Haiti on his father's plantation. His biological mother, Gina Rebin, was his father's mistress, and she died shortly after his birth. He was raised by his father's wife, Anne Moynet Audubon.
What was John James Audubon’s early relationship with school and art?
-Audubon did not enjoy school, preferring to spend his time drawing birds instead. This passion for art and nature persisted throughout his life.
How did Audubon come to the United States, and what was his initial occupation?
-John James Audubon came to the United States in 1803, where he managed his father's plantation in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
When and whom did Audubon marry, and where did they settle?
-Audubon married Lucy Bakewell on April 5, 1808. They initially settled in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1807.
What is John James Audubon most famous for, and when was this work published?
-John James Audubon is most famous for his work 'Birds of America,' a four-volume book published between 1827 and 1838, which depicted 435 life-sized prints of North American birds.
What hardships did Audubon face in his personal and professional life?
-Audubon faced many hardships, including the loss of two daughters, Lucy and Rosa, financial difficulties that led to debt and time in jail, and the dissolution of his business partnerships.
What controversial aspects of Audubon’s life are mentioned in the script?
-Audubon held controversial views, opposing emancipation and believing in white supremacy. He also owned slaves, dug up human remains, plagiarized, and committed academic fraud.
What contributions did Audubon’s sons make to his legacy?
-Audubon's sons, Victor and John, followed in their father’s footsteps and became artists themselves, contributing to the continuation of his artistic legacy.
Where did Audubon spend his final years, and where is he buried?
-John James Audubon spent his final years on Minnie’s Land along the Hudson River, where he passed away on January 27, 1851. He was buried there.
Where can people view Audubon's works and artifacts today?
-Many of Audubon's paintings and artifacts are available for public viewing at the John James Audubon Memorial Museum in Audubon State Park, located in Henderson, Kentucky.

Outlines

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🖌️ Early Life of John James Audubon

John James Audubon was born in April 1785 in what is now Haiti, on his father’s plantation. His father, Jean Audubon, had a mistress named Gina Rebin, who was believed to be Audubon’s biological mother. After her death, Audubon was raised by his father’s wife, Anne Monet Audubon. His father, a slave trader, also served under Marquis de Lafayette during the American Revolution. As a child, Audubon did not enjoy school, instead showing a preference for drawing birds. In 1803, Audubon arrived in the United States and managed his father’s plantation in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He married Lucy Backwell on April 5th, 1808.

📦 Business Ventures and Relocation

In 1807, Audubon moved to Louisville, where he opened a store with a business partner. In 1810, the partnership dissolved, and Audubon decided to remain in Henderson, Kentucky. By this time, he had already drawn 200 birds. His sons, Victor and John, followed in his artistic footsteps. After facing difficulties, including the death of his two-year-old daughter Lucy, Audubon and his family moved back to Louisville in 1818. During this period, he painted portraits and offered art lessons.

🎨 Struggles and Artistic Pursuits

In 1819, Audubon faced significant challenges, including debt, which led to a brief time in jail. The death of his daughter Rosa marked another hardship, prompting him to move out of Kentucky. Over the following years, he relocated to Ohio and Louisiana, continuing his artistic work. Despite these personal losses, Audubon is best known for his masterpiece, *Birds of America*, a four-volume collection published between 1827 and 1838. He also published numerous other works throughout his career.

📚 Legacy and Controversial Views

Audubon passed away on January 27, 1851, at Minnie’s Land on the Hudson River, where he was buried. His legacy as a pioneering naturalist and artist is commemorated in the John James Audubon Memorial Museum in Henderson, Kentucky. However, Audubon's life also included controversial aspects. He held racist views, was against emancipation, and believed in the superiority of whites. Additionally, he owned slaves, engaged in grave-robbing, plagiarized, and committed academic fraud.

🏞️ Reflection on John James Audubon's Life

John James Audubon spent a significant portion of his life in Kentucky. His contributions to the study of birds and natural history are notable, but his legacy is marred by his problematic views and actions. The script provides a balanced portrayal, offering both his achievements and controversies. Audubon’s work remains influential, but it’s important to recognize the complexities of his character and life.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡John James Audubon

John James Audubon was a renowned American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, most famous for his work 'Birds of America'. Born in 1785, he is the central figure of the video, with his life, career, and controversial views forming the backbone of the narrative. Audubon spent much of his life drawing birds and documenting American wildlife, making significant contributions to natural history.

💡Haiti

Haiti is mentioned as the birthplace of John James Audubon, where he was born in 1785 on his father's plantation. This geographical context is important as it marks the beginning of Audubon's life story, linking him to a colonial background, slavery, and the complex racial history of the Caribbean.

💡Birds of America

'Birds of America' is Audubon’s most famous work, a monumental four-volume book published between 1827 and 1838. It contains illustrations of a wide variety of bird species in America. This work is central to Audubon’s legacy and is referenced in the video to highlight his contribution to ornithology and art.

💡Slavery

Slavery plays a dual role in the video. Audubon's father was a slave trader, and Audubon himself owned slaves, reflecting his involvement in the brutal economic and social system of the time. His controversial views on race, including his opposition to emancipation, are also noted, complicating his legacy.

💡Norristown, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania, is where Audubon managed his father’s plantation after moving to the United States in 1803. This location is an important chapter in Audubon’s early life and career, showing his connection to both American land and business before he fully embraced his artistic endeavors.

💡Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson, Kentucky, is a significant place in Audubon’s life. He moved there in 1810 to start a business, and later chose to stay in Henderson when his partnership ended. Henderson marks a long period of Audubon’s life, and the video mentions a memorial museum there, preserving his artistic works.

💡Lucy Bakewell

Lucy Bakewell was John James Audubon’s wife, whom he married in 1808. She played a crucial role in his life, providing personal support through their hardships, including the loss of their children. Her presence is a recurring theme in Audubon’s biography, especially during their relocation and financial struggles.

💡Controversial views

The video notes that Audubon held controversial views, particularly regarding race and slavery. He was against emancipation and believed in white superiority, owning slaves himself. These views complicate his legacy and are an essential aspect of understanding the full picture of Audubon’s life, beyond his artistic achievements.

💡Portrait painting

Portrait painting is mentioned as one of the ways Audubon earned a living, especially during difficult times when he was struggling with debt and family losses. His ability to paint not only birds but also portraits shows his versatility as an artist, and this skill helped him survive financially during challenging periods.

💡Academic fraud

Audubon was accused of academic fraud, which refers to the allegations that he plagiarized some of his scientific work and misrepresented findings. This accusation, along with his other controversial actions, adds a layer of complexity to his legacy as both an artist and a naturalist.

Highlights

John James Audubon was born in April 1785 in what is now Haiti, on his father's plantation.

Audubon's biological mother was believed to be his father's mistress, who died after his birth. He was raised by his father's wife.

Audubon’s father was involved in the American Revolution under Marquis de Lafayette and was a slave trader.

Audubon preferred drawing birds over formal education.

He moved to the United States in 1803 to manage his father’s plantation in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Audubon married Lucy Backwell on April 5, 1808.

In 1810, Audubon had already drawn 200 birds.

His sons, Victor and John, followed in their father’s footsteps as artists.

He experienced financial struggles and spent time in jail due to debt.

Audubon is most famous for his four-volume book, 'Birds of America,' published between 1827 and 1838.

Audubon moved frequently, living in Kentucky, Ohio, and Louisiana over the years.

Despite his artistic success, Audubon held controversial views, including opposition to emancipation and belief in white superiority.

Audubon owned slaves and was involved in unethical practices such as grave robbing and plagiarism.

He died on January 27, 1851, on the Hudson River and was buried nearby.

The John James Audubon Memorial Museum in Henderson, Kentucky, displays many of his paintings and artifacts.