During the first half of the 20th century, the naturalist Allan Brooks gained international recognition as a wildlife illustrator, influencing subsequent artists in this field. As the pre-eminent ornithologist in Western Canada, he was instrumental in the professionalization of his discipline. This skilled hunter amassed thousands of bird and animal skins for research collections of major zoological museums on the continent. Through his illustrations and his many publications, he introduced generations of people to the bird life of North America.