Strangers – Today

John James Audubon, April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851

John James Audubon was an American artist and naturalist. He is best known for his collection of prints The Birds of America (1827–1838), the result of his attempt to depict and describe all the birds of the country. Audubon was a businessman before he became known as an artist, and continued drawing wildlife while running a dry-goods store. He amassed a portfolio of wildlife drawings and paintings, and eventually had enough funds and support to publish his works. Audubon was assisted in publishing and selling his works by his sons, Victor G. and John W. Audubon. Victor would visit the Athenaeum 20 years after his father, in 1844. On this visit, Audubon was signed in by member James Mease, himself a scientist and the first-known publisher of a recipe for tomato-based ketchup.

Portrait courtesy of Smithsonian Open Access — Source — Source — Source — Source

Edward Coles, December 15, 1786 – July 7, 1868

Edward Coles was an American politician. He was born into a wealthy family of enslavers and plantation owners in Virginia. Coles studied at William and Mary College before serving as a private secretary to James Madison. In 1817, he sold his inherited plantation in Virginia and travelled to Illinois, accompanied by 17 people that his family had enslaved. Coles later freed the enslaved people and helped them settle, and began to fight the pro-slavery movement within the Illinois government. He was elected governor in 1822, and helped ensure that Illinois remained a free state by a vote during the 1824 Constitutional Convention. Coles was also an advocate for establishing a state library in Illinois. His political career faltered after he lost multiple congressional elections, and he moved to Philadelphia in 1832. Based on the Athenaeum's records, it is believed that Coles became an Athenaeum shareholder in 1835. His name appears throughout the Record of Strangers as the introducing member for many strangers, as well as multiple times as a stranger himself.

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Abraham P. Gibson

Abraham P. Gibson was an American diplomat. He served as the United States' Consul General to Russia in St. Petersburg for 31 years, from 1819 to 1850.

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