Some Early American Ornithologists 



IV. ALEXANDER WILSON 



By WITMER STONE 



IN 1794 a young Scotchman, Alexander Wilson by name, thoroughly 

 disheartened by his surroundings at home, embarke-d for America, like 



many another, who had gone before him, to seek his fortune. He had 

 no definite idea as to what he was to find across the water, but was con- 

 vinced that no conditions could be worse than those he was leaving behind. 



Wilson was at this time just twenty-eight years of age. He was born 

 of poor parents and brought up, like all the family, to the trade of weaving, 

 against which his whole nature rebelled. He was different from his plodding 

 associates and yearned for something better than the loom. He loved Na- 

 ture and delighted in an outdoor life. He possessed also the spirit of the 

 poet, and tried hard to emulate Robert Burns. Many of his verses were 

 published, but the reception that was accorded them was not very encourag- 

 ing, and added to his despondency. 



So impatient was Wilson after his long sea voyage that he landed at 

 Wilmington, Delaware, and went on foot to Philadelphia, to which port 

 the vessel was bound. He was delighted with the strange flowers and trees, 

 overjoyed to be again on land, and charmed with the songs and bright 

 plumage of the Cardinals and other birds which he encountered. 



Arrived at Philadelphia, he was confronted with the old necessity of 

 making a living. There being no demand for weavers, he sought other oc- 

 cupation, and finally became a school teacher — a position which in those 

 days demanded but very meager attainments. Wilson's early education had 

 been very limited, but he had read extensively, developed a good hand- 

 writing, and, by studying in his spare hours, he soon found himself suf- 

 ficiently well-equipped for his new vocation. For seven years he taught 

 school near Philadelphia and at Bloomfield, New Jersey, and spent his 

 leisure in rambling through the woods and fields and in writing verses. 



So far, although possessed of a strong love for Nature and of a studious 

 disposition, Wilson seems to have had no thought of a serious study of any 

 of the natural sciences, and chance alone shaped his future career. In 1802 

 he moved to Gray's Ferry, now within the limits of Philadelphia, to take 

 charge of the school there. Near by was the botanic garden of William 

 Bartram, and a close friendship immediately sprang up between the venerable 

 naturalist and the schoolmaster, which was to alter the whole trend of the 

 latter's life. 



In the association and instruction of Bartram, Wilson saw Nature in a 

 new light; his interest and enthusiasm were aroused and he longed to add 

 to his knowledge in this new field. He studied the library at the botanic 

 garden, and was surprised at the lack of information, particularly concerning 



(265I 



