Which fictional spy is named after a Philadelphia ornithologist who wrote "Birds of the West Indies"?

The name that was appropriated by writer Ian Fleming for his fictional British spy is James Bond. The real James Bond (1900 - 1989) was a leading American ornithologist who had been born in Philadelphia, PA and was an expert on birds living in the Caribbean. Regarding the two guys (Bond and Fleming), they didn’t have much in common. The only exception was that they both liked birds.

After Fleming found a copy of the book "Birds of the West Indies" which had been written by James Bond, he had the name for the main character or protagonist of his first novel, Casino Royale (1953). Eventually, the real Bond sent a letter to Fleming. He wrote back and readily admitted what he had done. But, Fleming didn’t offer Bond any compensation. It was reported in the news that Fleming told Bond that he would gladly give him unlimited use of his name, Ian Fleming. He also suggested that if Bond discovered a new bird species, one that was “particularly horrible,” he could name the new species an “Ian Fleming”. This type of payback however ever happened.

In an effort to either cash in on the notoriety or to set the record straight, Mary Bond (Jim’s wife) wrote a book entitled, "How 007 Got His Name". This book ended up being a hit in Great Britain. Sale of the book didn't really go beyond Britain.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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12 Comments

deborahpmercer

When I was little my family had a friend called James Bond, but he was neither a spy nor an ornithologist!

Sue Fairweather

Got it

Kelvin Croker

It was made note of in Die Another Day when James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) asked to borrow some field glasses and a bird book. "No Owls in Los Organos" apparently.

Richard G Schwartz

Good q ans a.

Kevin Smith

The correct answer is that while Fleming was based in Ontario, Canada, he saw the St. James Bond church in Toronto. That was the inspiration.

David Imrie

Christina Birnie, Fleming based James Bond on Sir William Stephenson, a native of Winnipeg, MB who trained with Ian Fleming, Roald Dahl and others at the Camp X facility, east of Toronto, during WWII. See my comment above about the name. Stephenson's work was classified until the 1970s, when the book about him, "A Man Called Intrepid", was released.

David Imrie

Ellie Zucchiatti, The story I heard was that Fleming, who worked at Camp X outside of Toronto during WWII, was billeted near that Church in North Central Toronto. That was the name who inspired the character.

Ellie Zucchiatti

There was a St. James Bond church in Toronto.

Joseph A. Robitaille

An interesting and well-known name. I want to thank J.D, Thomas for his information.. We have a lot of really unsung heroes who we do not even know about.

John D Thomas

There is actually evidence that the real James Bond supplied information on German U-Boat activities to intelligence services in WWII, so not just an innocent bird watcher after all .,.. maybe!