Colonial Naturalist

Introduced by Tracey Gulden, media collections manager, enjoy this Film from the Archives: 100 Years of CW. Filmed in 1965, this docudrama highlights Mark Catesby's first visit to the colonies, where the self-trained naturalist spent time observing his natural environment, making drawings and sending plant specimens back to his London colleagues.

The early 1700s were a time of great scientific curiosity. Seekers such as Mark Catesby led the way to a bountiful harvest of information on America's plant and animal life.