Born in 1818 in Hasle-bei-Burgdodrf, Switzerland, Jacques Burkhardt became known for his natural history and scientific illustrations. His work led to some extensive travels including to Europe and South America.

Burkhardt studied painting and drawing in Munich and Rome. In 1839 he was among twelve scientific draftsmen working under the young scientist, Louis Agassiz, at Neuchatel, Switzerland. He then joined a Belgian expedition to Guatemala and, when that failed, was dismissed in New York.

Jacques Burkhardt moved to Boston, where he was earning a meager living as an illustrator when, in the winter of 1846-47, Agassiz coincidentally arrived. Burkhardt accepted an invitation to work for him, doing natural history illustration...