Original antique bird print of a green toucan. Published by George Edwards circa 1760. George Edwards FRS (3 April 1694 – 23 July 1773) was an English naturalist and ornithologist, known as the "father of British ornithology". Edwards began studying natural history, especially birds, after an unsuccessful career as a businessman, ‘applying himself to drawing and colouring such animals as fell under his notice’, including foreign specimens brought into the Port of London by ship. Edwards’ chief aim was to ‘achieve a natural and accurate portrayal’, though often from stuffed specimens; with no clear idea of suitable backgrounds he would perch smaller birds on a lichen-covered branch, or give them a general backdrop of water (for the water birds) or vegetation.