Samuel Smith (photographer) facts for kids

Samuel Smith (born February 28, 1802 – died July 18, 1892) was an English photographer. He is famous for taking many early photographs of the town of Wisbech and its surroundings. His pictures show what the area looked like in the mid-1800s. Many of the buildings he photographed have since changed or disappeared.

Who Was Samuel Smith?

Samuel Smith was born in a place called Tydd St Giles. His father, John Smith, was a farmer. Samuel grew up to become a merchant, which means he bought and sold goods. He was also a timber merchant, dealing with wood.

Samuel Smith's Family Life

Samuel Smith had two daughters named Emily and Julia. His first wife was named Myra. After Myra passed away, Samuel married again. His second wife was Frances Dawbarn. They got married on September 4, 1860, in a church in Hunstanton. Samuel Smith passed away on July 18, 1892. He was buried in the Wisbech General Cemetery.

Samuel Smith's Photography Career

Samuel Smith was a successful timber merchant. He was also a director for the Wisbech Gas Light & Coke company. But he is best known for his amazing photography. His earliest known photograph was taken on October 12, 1852. He continued taking pictures until 1864.

What Did Samuel Smith Photograph?

Many of Smith's photographs show buildings that no longer exist today. These include the old stone Town Bridge, the Butter Cross, and the Octagon Church. He also photographed the Old Workhouse. His pictures are like a window into the past.

• The General Cemetery Chapel: Smith took a picture of the General Cemetery Chapel in 1856. This building was built in 1848. Later, its roof was removed, and it was almost torn down. However, the Wisbech Society helped restore it. Now, people can compare the restored chapel to Smith's old photo.
• Leach's Eight-Sail Mill: Around 1853, Smith captured an image of Leach's eight-sail mill. This photo is special because it shows the mill before its large sails were taken off.

Samuel Smith was also a member of the Wisbech Working Men's Institute. Another photographer, William Ellis, was also part of this group. After Ellis died, Samuel Smith even printed some of his photographs.

Samuel Smith's Lasting Legacy

Samuel Smith's photographs are very important today. They give us a unique look at life in the 1850s. No other town in England has so many surviving photos from that time.

Where Are Samuel Smith's Photos Kept?

Most of Smith's surviving pictures are in two main places:

• Wisbech & Fenland Museum: This museum holds 190 negatives and over 100 prints. Negatives are the original film from which photos are made.
• Kodak Museum: This museum has 125 other negatives and about 70 prints. Kodak bought these photos in 1971. They compared them to the ones in Wisbech.

Exhibitions and Books About Samuel Smith

In 1973, an exhibition of Smith's work was held at Peckover House. More exhibitions followed in London and the USA. In 1992, the Wisbech and Fenland Museum held a big exhibition. This marked 100 years since Smith's death. Over 50 of his prints were on display. Many of his photos show churches, buildings, and the river in Wisbech. He often photographed the same building over time. This helped to show how the town changed.

The exhibition also showed a book of tokens collected by Samuel. It also displayed a microscope he made. A special seminar was held at the Angles Theatre Centre. Experts spoke about Smith's photography and life. A book called "Samuel Smith, Wisbech Past and Present" was also published.

Honors and Recognition

• Two of William Ellis's images, printed by Smith, are in the famous Getty collection.
• Andrew C Ingram's book, Wisbech 1800-1901, is dedicated to Samuel Smith.
• A Blue Plaque now marks his former home. Blue Plaques are signs that honor important people.
• He is featured on the Cambridgeshire Photographers website. This website also includes other local pioneering photographers like Lilian Ream and Geoff Hastings.
• Samuel Smith is listed as one of the Top 80 Photographers of the 19th-Century. This is on the Fine Art Photography Series website.
• His images are also part of the Norfolk Libraries Collection.