Wilson, Alexander (1766–1813)

British ornithologist. Born in Paisley, Scotland, and raised in poverty, he supported himself as a weaver and peddler before emigrating to the USA in 1794. Settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he taught in a school and took up the study of birds. In 1808 he published the first volume of his American Ornithology, completing six more volumes over the next five years. His assistant completed the project after his death. Wilson also published two volumes of poetry, including a collection in the Scots dialect.