John Gould

John Gould was a renowned ornithologist and became director of the Zoological Society of London while still very young. He became one of the major figures in the publication of books about birds and surrounded himself with worthy collaborators. He is said to have designed more than 2,500 plates in around 20 works including a Monograph of the Trochicidae (Family of Humming Birds) (1880). Elizabeth Gould, his wife, coloured plates by hand and made them into etchings. In his works he was more concerned with composition than with a naturalistic portrayal. After the premature death of his wife he was assisted for many years by his main collaborator, Henry Constantine Richter. Gould's other works include Birds of Australia; Mammals of Australia (1845-1863); The Birds of Great Britain; and Birds of New Guinea.

"GOULD, John." In Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford Art Online, http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.fsu.edu/subscriber/article/benezit/B00077376 (accessed May 1, 2012).