Christopher Atkinson (1754-95) was the son of the vicar of Thorp-Arch, Yorkshire. He was based at Cambridge from 1773 to 1785, firstly at Trinity as Pensioner and Fellow, and then as vicar of St. Edward's and Fellow of Trinity Hall. From 1785 until his death he was vicar of Wethersfields, Essex, where he is buried. He married Catherine Leicester, sister of Sir John Fleming Leicester, Bt., of Tabley in June 1785.

Of the present drawings several are inscribed by the artist, identifying both the Latin and English names of the subject. These inscriptions are transcribed below in full; the other birds of the group are described with their English names only