Alexander Hesler facts for kids
Alexander Hesler (1823–1895) was a famous American photographer. He worked mostly in the state of Illinois. He is best known for taking some of the most famous pictures of Abraham Lincoln in 1858 and 1860. These photos showed Lincoln before he grew his famous beard.
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Who Was Alexander Hesler?
Hesler was born in Montreal. He started his photography work in the 1850s and early 1860s. He first learned older types of photography like daguerrotype and ambrotype.
Becoming a Photographer
Later, Hesler learned a newer method called glass plate photography. This became his main focus. He had photography studios in cities like Galena, Chicago, and Springfield, Illinois. He took pictures of people and places all over Illinois.
Traveling for Photos
Hesler even had a special portable darkroom. This allowed him to travel and take landscape photos in nearby states. These areas are now part of the American Midwest.
Famous Portraits
Some of Hesler's most well-known portraits are of important Illinois politicians. These include Abraham Lincoln and federal senator Stephen A. Douglas. In the 1860 presidential election, Lincoln's friends made sure Hesler's photos were copied. They were used widely to help Lincoln's campaign.
Capturing Nature
Hesler's portable darkroom also helped him capture beautiful nature scenes. One very popular photo he took was of Minnehaha Falls. This waterfall is located in what is now the city of Minneapolis.
Hesler's Lasting Impact
Alexander Hesler was an award-winning photographer. He wanted to create photos that would be valuable works of art for a long time. People recognized him for the high quality of his portraits and his outdoor pictures.
Passing on His Work
When Hesler retired in 1865, he gave his Chicago studio and his photo negatives to another photographer, George Bucher Ayres. Some of Hesler's best-known pictures of Lincoln are platinum prints. These were made by Ayres using Hesler's original negatives.
Lincoln's Image Lives On
After Lincoln passed away, Hesler's 1860 glass plate negatives were still used. Sculptors like Gutzon Borglum used them to create busts (head and shoulder sculptures) of the President. Alexander Hesler is buried in Racine, Wisconsin. A short film about the cemetery where he rests was released in 2014. It includes a part about Hesler's life.
Images for kids
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Alexander Hesler photographed Lincoln in 1860.
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Hesler depicted Minnehaha Falls in 1855.
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Hesler-Lincoln, salt-printed for 1860 campaign use.
