As a boy, Grinnell had avidly read Ornithological Biography, a work by the bird painter John James Audubon; he also attended a school for boys conducted by Lucy Audubon.
Cando era neno, Grinnell lera avidamente Ornithological Biography, un libro moi influente do gran pintor de aves John James Audubon; tamén asistía a unha escola para rapaces dirixida por Lucy Audubon.