Prince Lucien Bonaparte was one of the most important and famous ornithologists of the 19th century. Born in Paris in 1803, he was the nephew of Napoleon, but after his father, Lucien, had a disagreement with his older brother the following year in 1804, he took his family to live in Italy, where he had estates and was ennobled by the Pope in 1814 as Prince of Canino. His son, Charles, received at the same time the title of Prince of Musignano and on the death of his father in 1840 acquired his title as well.

Prince Charles Bonaparte’s interest in ornithology began in his teens. In 1823 he traveled to America and lived for four years on an estate near Philadelphia. In 1825 he produced the first volume of American Ornithology. In 1826 he returned to Europe to study material in museums in London and Frankfurt. In 1828 on returning to Philadelphia he produced the second and third volumes of American Ornithology. He then brought his family back to Italy and settled in Rome. However in addition to his scientific work he became involved in politics and had to leave Italy in 1849. Also banned from visiting France, he spent time in Scotland, England, Holland and Germany. Whilst in Holland in 1850 he started publishing his Conspectus generum avium, which was intended to include all known birds.

Towards the end of 1850 the French government lifted its ban and he went to live in Paris. He continued to travel throughout Europe and in 1855 published the second volume of Conspectus generum avium. However from 1850 he suffered ill health and in 1857 he died in Paris aged 54. His great work was left uncompleted as was the Iconographie des Perroquets.