- Pierce Brosnan as James Bond (007)
The name is Bond. James Bond. International spy—of birds! That’s right! A widely unknown fact about this world-renowned character, brought to my attention by Dr. John Robinson, is that his name, James Bond, is actually that of a famous 20th century ornithologist and author of Birds of the West Indies (1936).
The best-selling author of the James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, lived in Jamaica and was an avid birdwatcher familiar with the works of James Bond—the ornithologist, that is.
While beginning to write his stories, Fleming desired a commonplace moniker for his fictional character. After seeking and receiving approval from the ornithologist, himself, James Bond became the namesake for one of the most famous fictional characters of all time.
- Ornithologist James Bond with a pair of Eskimo Curlews.
As a tribute to James Bond’s origin, in the film Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan examines the book Birds of the West Indies, and introduces himself to Jinx (Halle Berry) as an ornithologist.
Perhaps next time you watch Goldfinger, you’ll be thinking about Goldfinches!
- In 1961, Ian Fleming revealed to Rogue Magazine, “There really is a James Bond, but he’s an American ornithologist, not a secret agent.”
