The Natural History & Antiquities of Selborne was first published in 1789 and has gone through many editions since, remaining a favorite amongst nature lovers.  As for Timothy himself, he lived with White from 1780 until White died in 1793.  Timothy died sometime the following year but his shell has been preserved and can be found somewhere in the Natural History Museum in London (a gloriously cavernous Victorian building which is a "must see" for anyone visiting London, not least because entry is free!  

Verlyn Klikenborg works full time for the New York Times, but from a farmhouse far removed from the city.&...