Wilson, Alexander, 1766-1813

"Father of American ornithology."

From the description of Letter to Daniel H. Miller [manuscript], 1808 December 24. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647841763

From the description of Letter to Daniel H. Miller [manuscirpt], 1809 February 15. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 48823462

Epithet: Secretary, Society for Emancipation of Industry

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x0002a0

Alexander Wilson was an ornithologist, and was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1813.

From the description of Letters, 1800-1810. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 154298254

From the guide to the Alexander Wilson letters, 1800-1810, 1800-1810, (American Philosophical Society)

Alexander Wilson was an ornithologist.

From the description of Papers, 1806-1813. (American Philosophical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 122523476

From the guide to the Alexander Wilson papers, 1806-1813, 1806-1813, (American Philosophical Society)

Alexander Wilson was born in Paisley, Scotland and was first trained as a weaver. He eventually came to Philadelphia, where he pursued a career as an illustrator of native birds. He was a friend of the botanist William Bartram.

From the description of Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1803. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155887058

Epithet: director, Russian Imperial Manufactory, near St Petersburg

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x00029c

Alexander Wilson (1766-1813) was an ornithologist and sketcher from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

From the description of Photograph of Alexander Wilson's tomb and a receipt, 1801 and [undated]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122394846

Epithet: of Bridge of Earn

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000300.0x00029d

The personal and business papers contains materials related to Alexander Wilson, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery just below Newark in Pencader Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware.

The Wilson family also owned property in Elkton, Maryland, and it is possible that Wilson grew up in Maryland. As a successful businessman in New Castle County, Delaware, Wilson was involved in county government. From evidence in the collection, Wilson was a Trustee of the Poor (1877), Secretary of School District 54, New Castle County (1875), and a commissioner of the New Castle County Levy Court. Wilson was married and had a son named William who attended Newark Academy during the 1870s. Wilson had a sister named Annie E. Wilson and a brother named Wiliam T. Wilson; letters addressed to Alexander from both siblings are included in this collection. Annie appears to have been single or widowed and spent much of her time on extended visits to relatives in Philadelphia and Chester County, Pennsylvania, as well as in Delaware and Maryland. William was a college student near Pittsburgh in the early 1860s. An April 1865 letter from William notes the reaction in Pittsburgh to news of the fall of Richmond, an important event near the end of the Civil War. Later, William married, but he and his family did not live in New Castle County.

Beers, D. G. Atlas of the State of Delaware . Philadelphia, PA: Pomeroy and Beers. 1868.

From the guide to the Alexander Wilson papers, 1852–1890, 1870–1889, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)