In the Victorian era, The Naturalist's Library brought natural history to the everyman through more than 40 volumes priced at six shillings each. Their immediate attraction lay in 1,300 glorious color plates where colored species popped from black-and-white habitats, presenting some of the finest illustrations in any mid-nineteenth-century publication.

Designer Nicholas Rougeux has now put online a complete digital reproduction of The Naturalist's Library, adding to his portfolio of restored works including Euclid's Elements and Pierre-Joseph Redouté's botanical illustrations. His painstaking restoration process is documented in a detailed blog post.

This time, Rougeux incorporated artificial intelligence tools that initially brought the collection to his attention, helped unearth sources, fill visual gaps, and brainstorm cover concepts for a printed version. The restoration is primarily a free website, though a handsome large-format physical copy of Plates of the Naturalist's Library is available for $295.11 USD, along with affordable posters.

The original Naturalist's Library inspired generations to understand the natural world; these new versions — whether in print, online, or on the wall — will encourage budding naturalists for generations to come.