author
John Cassin
1813–1869
A leading American ornithologist of the 1800s, he helped turn bird classification into a more exact science. His work at Philadelphia’s Academy of Natural Sciences and his richly illustrated books made him one of the key bird experts of his time.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Pennsylvania in 1813, John Cassin became one of the most important American ornithologists of the nineteenth century. He was closely tied to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, where he served as curator and later vice president, working with one of the country’s great bird collections.
Cassin was especially known for studying and classifying birds from specimens, and he described a large number of species that had not been covered by earlier American ornithologists. He also contributed illustrations and text to major scientific publications, including works connected with western exploration, helping readers and researchers better understand North American birdlife.
His books and papers made him a central figure in American natural history, and several birds were later named in his honor. He died in 1869, but his name still appears often in the history of ornithology and bird study.