Francis George Claudet facts for kids

Francis George Claudet (1837-1906) was an interesting person who worked as an assayer (someone who tests metals) for the Royal Mint. He worked in British Columbia, Canada. He was also a talented amateur photographer. Francis was the youngest son of Antoine François Jean Claudet, a famous French photographer and inventor. His father was known for making early photographs called daguerreotypes.

Francis Claudet's Life and Work

The family grave of Francis George Claudet in Highgate Cemetery

Francis Claudet was born in Islington, London on June 15, 1837. He was the youngest of eight children born to Antoine and Julia Claudet. In 1859, the Royal Mint hired him as the official Assayer for the Colony of British Columbia.

He first lived in Victoria, Vancouver Island. From there, he traveled a lot around British Columbia and Vancouver. He even traveled aboard a ship called HMS Satellite. Claudet then lived in New Westminster for about thirteen years. During this time, he worked in different government jobs.

Later, Francis returned to England with his family. He took a job in Runcorn, Cheshire, as a chemical engineer. He managed a copper factory there. Around 1890, he moved back to London with his wife, Fanny, and three of their six children. They lived first in Camberwell before settling in Kilburn.

His Photography Work

This photo from 1856 shows the Claudet Family Group at Chateau de la Roche, Amboise. Francis George Claudet is in the picture.

Francis Claudet learned to love photography from his father. He took many pictures of New Westminster and the people who lived there. He also photographed things he saw while doing his official duties.

He knew other professional photographers of his time. These included Frederick Dally in Victoria and David Withrow in New Westminster. He might have also met Richard and Hannah Maynard in 1862. They likely met on a steamer ship from San Francisco. After returning to England, it seems he didn't continue his photography hobby. There are no records of him showing any photos after that time.

In 1946, one of Francis's sons moved to Canada. He sold some family papers and photo albums to the British Columbia Archives. This helped preserve some of Francis Claudet's work.

Later Life and Death

Francis Claudet passed away at his home in Kilburn, London, on March 13, 1906. He was 68 years old. He is buried in a family grave on the west side of Highgate Cemetery in London.