Natural History in the Royal Library
Our changing relationship with the natural world, from Tudor to Victorian times
MARK CATESBY (1682-1749)
The Natural history of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands : containing the figures of birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, insects and plants : particularly, the forest-trees, shrubs, and other plants... ; v. 1 / by Mark Catesby
1731RCIN 1085716
In the early eighteenth century, Mark Catesby went on two expeditions to North America in order to observe and document the wildlife there. This unique copy of Catesby’s book on the subject contained his original watercolours. In order to hold all of the pictures, the work was expanded from the original two volumes to three. It was bought by George III for his library in 1768.
