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George Edwards

English, 1694-1773

Known today as the Father of British Ornithology, George Edwards was a draftsman and naturalist who popularized the art of bird and animal illustrations throughout the 18th century. His main collections of etchings, which were bound as the volumes A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Gleaning of Natural History, together comprise more than 600 animals and were the first works to delineate many of the featured species.

Edwards cultivated an interest in natural history while traveling around Europe, becoming particularly enamored with birds. Upon his return to the United Kingdom, in 1733, Irish physicist Hans Sloane, an acquaintance of British naturalists/illustrators Eleazar Albin and Mark Catesby, offered Edwards a librarian position at the Royal College of Physicians. The job granted him access to a large collection of works on natural history, which he explored enthusiastically. 

With instruction from Catesby, Edwards learned etching and spent much of his time preparing plates and drawings for his books. While Edwards hand-colored his early editions, later works were colored in by other artists, like British artist Peter Paillou, allowing Edwards to focus on etching and writing.

George Edwards earned his reputation for both his illustrations and written descriptions of his subjects — widely acclaimed for their accuracy. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus cited Edwards’s texts when developing his major work, Systema Naturæ. The Royal Society in London awarded Edwards the Copley Medal in 1750 for outstanding achievement in the field of science. Edwards retired in 1763 to Plaistow, England, and died in 1773.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Edwards engravings and wall decorations.

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Creator: George Edwards
GEORGE EDWARDS - Two Hand Colored Ornithological Engravings - U.K. - C.1741-1759
GEORGE EDWARDS - Two Hand Colored Ornithological Engravings - U.K. - C.1741-1759

GEORGE EDWARDS - Two Hand Colored Ornithological Engravings - U.K. - C.1741-1759

By George Edwards

Located in Chatham, ON

GEORGE EDWARDS (Naturalist, ornithologist and artist 1694-1773) - 'A Natural History of Uncommon Birds' (Published in several volumes between 1743 and 1764) - Antique pair of mid 18t...

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Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique George Edwards

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18th Century Hand Colored Engravings by George Edwards, Set of 2
18th Century Hand Colored Engravings by George Edwards, Set of 2

18th Century Hand Colored Engravings by George Edwards, Set of 2

By George Edwards

Located in Ross, CA

Set of two hand colored engravings by George Edwards (English, 1694-1773). Professionally framed and matted in linen.

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Mid-18th Century British George II Antique George Edwards

Materials

Paper

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George Edwards furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

George Edwards furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Edwards furniture, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by George Edwards were created in the Georgian style in europe during the 18th century and earlier. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Samuel Howitt, george brookshaw, and William Ernst Burwell. Prices for George Edwards furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $750 and can go as high as $28,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,500.