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W. & D. Downey facts for kids
A photo of Edward VII, in the 1880s, as Prince of Wales by W. & D. Downey
W. & D. Downey were famous photographers in the Victorian era. They had studios in London and other cities from the 1860s to the 1910s. They were especially known for taking pictures of the Royal Family.
How They Started
William Downey (born in South Shields on July 14, 1829) later became known as the Queen's Photographer. He started out as a carpenter and boat builder. Around 1855, he opened a photography studio in South Shields with his brother, Daniel Downey (born 1831). They soon opened more studios in places like Blyth, Morpeth, and Newcastle.
Their first big job for the Royal Family was in 1862. They took photos for Queen Victoria after a mining accident called the Hartley Colliery Disaster.
In 1863, they opened a studio in Newcastle. That same year, William set up a studio in the Houses of Parliament in London. There, he took pictures of every politician of the day. It's a mystery where those pictures are now!
Royal Connections
William moved to London in 1872 and opened another studio. His brother Daniel stayed in charge of the Newcastle branch. The London studio became very popular with Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. They took photos at royal homes like Balmoral and Frogmore in the 1860s.
Their first royal picture was of the Princess of Wales at an agricultural show in 1865. They also took a famous picture of the Princess of Wales giving Princess Louise a piggyback ride. In 1879, they received a special approval called a Royal Warrant. This meant the Royal Family officially recommended their work.
Photography Innovations
The Downey studio used a special method called the carbon process for their best photos. In the 1880s, a company in Newcastle made many photographic dry plates. These plates made photography much easier for everyone.
George Eastman, who later invented the Box Brownie camera and roll film, spent time at this company. His inventions made it possible for many more people to take their own pictures. This changed photography forever, as studios no longer had a complete monopoly on creating lasting images.
The Downey Family
William Downey's son, William Edward Downey (1855–1908), took most of the royal pictures during the time of King Edward VII.
A famous child model named Gladys Cooper wrote about the Downeys in her book. She remembered "Old" Downey (William senior) as a tall man with a long white beard. He looked very important and knew how to greet kings and queens. She said it was a great honor to be photographed by him. He only photographed princesses or duchesses.
She also remembered "Young" Downey (William Edward Downey). He was a big man with a bald head. Gladys said he was a true artist. He could always tell which side of someone's face looked best. He took beautiful pictures of famous people and captured their true personalities. Gladys and her sisters loved visiting the studio. "Young" Downey was kind to children, and they had fun playing and dressing up in the studio's costumes.
William Downey senior joined the Photographic Society (which later became The Royal Photographic Society) in 1870. He lived in Earl's Court, Kensington. After a theft at his home in 1914, William Downey senior passed away.
William senior's son, Arthur, continued the family business. In 1910, he took a portrait of King George V's children.
Daniel Downey, William's brother, also had a family. He passed away in 1881 while living in a special care home in Bethnal Green.