Charles Dixon

Charles Dixon (1858 – 17 June 1926) was an English ornithologist, born in London. He was a prolific author and illustrator of bird books, and he is considered one of the most important ornithologists of his era.

Dixon was born into a wealthy family, and he was educated at Eton College and King's College, Cambridge. He showed an early interest in birds, and he began collecting bird specimens when he was a child. After graduating from Cambridge, Dixon traveled to Africa and South America to study birds in their natural habitats.

Dixon returned to England in 1883, and he began a career as a writer and illustrator of bird books. He published his first book, Birds of the British Isles, in 1885. This book was a critical and commercial success, and it established Dixon as a leading authority on British birds.

Dixon went on to publish over 50 books on birds, including Birds of the Western Palearctic, Birds of the Indian Empire, and Birds of the Malay Archipelago. He was also a prolific illustrator, and he produced over 2,000 drawings of birds.

Dixon's work was characterized by its accuracy and its attention to detail. He was a master of depicting the plumage and behavior of birds. Dixon's books were essential resources for ornithologists and birdwatchers for many years.

Dixon was a member of the Royal Society and the Zoological Society of London. He was also awarded the Gold Medal of the British Ornithologists' Union. Dixon died in London in 1926. He was 68 years old.

Dixon's philosophy was to create accurate and informative illustrations of birds. He believed that these illustrations could be used to educate the public about birds and their importance to the environment. Dixon's work is still used by ornithologists and birdwatchers today. It is a testament to his skill as an illustrator and his passion for birds.