Wilson, Alexander

Alexander (1766-1813), a Scottish-American ornithologist. He was born in the weaving village of Paisley, Scotland, and died at Philadelphia. His youth and early manhood he spent weaving at the loom, writing poetry, or peddling. One poem published anonymously in 1792 under the title of Watty and Meg was ascribed to Burns and had an enormous circulation. Having been so unwise as to attack a fellow citizen in print he was arrested and required to burn the libel with his own hand at Paisley cross. He was a naturalist by inclination and resolved now to migrate to Philadelphia. Here he taught school, roamed the forests, formed the acquaintance of William Bartram, whose gardens are still the delight of Philadelphia, and resolved finally to prepare an account of American birds. Wilson's Ornithology, in nine volumes, with beautifully colored plates, was the result of years of ceaseless toil. The first volume appeared in 1808; the last, a year after his death. Sets are now rare and are worth a large sum. After Wilson had become famous Paisley revised its opinion and erected a monument to his memory. A more acceptable tribute is that of the ornithologists who have attached his name to several birds, as Wilson's tern, Wilson's snipe, Wilson's plover, etc.