Peter Gray is long established as an illustrator of books, magazines and newspapers with occasional forays into such fields as film storyboards and costume design, advertising and animation projects. Peter is also the author of many books for adults and children, which have been published in many languages all around the world. Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) has been called the greatest botanical illustrator of all time, known for iconic rose and lily designs. He was an official court artist of Marie Antoinette and his patrons included both of Napoleon's wives - Empress Joséphine and Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma. John James Audubon (1785-1851) was born in Haiti and raised in France, emigrating to North America when he was 18 years old to avoid conscription into the Napoleonic wars. For many years he worked as a trading merchant, before turning to his true passion: ornithology. Audubon spent many years traveling the North American continent, identifying and recording bird species. The Birds of America was an immediate success, with Audubon becoming a household name in the nineteenth century. It is still considered to be one of the greatest works of ornithology ever created.