John Gould (1804–1881) was a key figure in nineteenth-century natural history, known as the “father of Australian ornithology.” A self-taught ornithologist, he excelled in identifying new species and publishing them in multi-volume folios. Though a competent artist, his main contribution was as the director of a lithographic studio, where he provided sketches and scientific descriptions that his wife, Elizabeth Gould, and other artists transformed into beautiful, hand-coloured plates. Gould’s major work, The Birds of Australia, consists of seven volumes and is considered one of the most significant taxonomic works, showcasing Australia’s rich avian diversity, including the lyrebird and the budgerigar.