Jeremiah Gurney facts for kids
Jeremiah Gurney (born October 17, 1812 – died April 21, 1895) was an important American photographer. He was known for his amazing daguerreotype photos in New York City. Daguerreotypes were one of the first types of photographs. They were made on a shiny silver-coated copper plate.
Contents
Early Life and Photography Career
Jeremiah Gurney first worked as a jeweler in Saratoga, New York. But his life changed when he met Samuel Morse. Morse was famous for inventing the telegraph. He also helped bring photography to America. Gurney learned how to make daguerreotypes from Morse.
After learning photography, Gurney moved to New York City. He started selling his beautiful photographs. He sold them right alongside jewelry in his shop. Many people consider Gurney one of the very first photographers in New York City. Some even say he opened the first photography studio in America! His studio was on Broadway, a very famous street.
Gurney's Amazing Photos
Gurney became very successful because his photos were so good. The Metropolitan Museum of Art says he made "the finest daguerreotypes" in New York. They especially liked his portraits. These photos looked very real and almost three-dimensional. One famous example is his photo called "Two Girls in Identical Dresses."
In 1853, there was a big photography show in London. An article in Scientific American magazine praised American photographers there. It specifically mentioned Gurney's photos. The article said his pictures showed "exquisite taste and skill." This shows how respected his work was, even internationally.
Influence on Other Photographers
Gurney's success inspired many others. One of these was Mathew B. Brady. Brady later became a very famous photographer himself. He is well-known for his photos of the American Civil War. Brady actually worked for the company that made cases for Gurney's photos. Seeing Gurney's success encouraged Brady to become a photographer too. He even started his own competing photo business.
Photographing Abraham Lincoln
One of the most famous things Gurney did was take a very special photo. He took the only known photograph of Abraham Lincoln after his death. This photo is a very important historical record.
Images for kids
-
Actor Nelse Seymour
-
Actor Daniel E. Bandmann
-
Swans in Central Park, New York
-
CSA General J. E. B. Stuart
