Curious like Catesby – Explorer, Artist, Naturalist

Join our expedition into the wilderness of the 18th century New World through the eyes of the mysterious Mark Catesby — Englishman, adventurer, explorer, naturalist and artist.

Rudy Mancke, along with other naturalists and curators who assist in the work of The Mark Catesby Centre at the University of South Carolina, will share tales of Catesby’s adventures.

Intrigued by the opportunity to document wildlife largely unknown to Europeans, Catesby set sail from England to the colonies twice, first in 1712.

A self-taught naturalist with no formal education, Catesby spent years trekking through present-day Virginia, Georgia, the Carolinas, West Indies and Bahamas, making sketches and taking notes on the animals, plants and the environment he was enthralled to discover.

After returning to England, Catesby spent nearly 20 years referring to his field notes and memories to compile and publish The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands. It was the first work to document the exotic species of birds, fish, animals, insects and plants of the Southeast and tropics, and would inspire naturalists including John James Audubon, who followed in Catesby’s footsteps 100 years later.

The Catesby Centre at the University of South Carolina educates and informs the world about Catesby’s contribution to our knowledge of 18th century natural history. The Centre ensures Catesby and his works are available for future generations.

You can start exploring Catesby’s world now through our online exhibit, Curious like Catesby, curated by the UofSC Libraries Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, in partnership with UofSC Libraries Digital Collections.

We hope you join us for this evening dedicated to supporting The Catesby Centre and to the intriguing, mysterious, ever-curious Mark Catesby.

Register now to attend this free, online event at: https://bit.ly/uofsccatesbycentre

You will receive an email with a link to join closer to the event date.