5 - Scots Abroad: The Achievements of Scottish Photographers Around the World

Summary

The outstanding enterprise, endeavour and ability of Scottish photographers finds graphic demonstration in the achievements of those who worked outside of Scotland. It is a trend in Scottish history, which continues, that Scotland has exported throughout the world individuals of talent and expertise who have enjoyed success and recognition in their chosen profession. In the Victorian period this was the case with a rich abundance of exceptional Scottish photographers. They made their mark wherever they went, achieving notable firsts and leading where others would follow.

The most prominent was John Thomson who gained an international reputation and created pioneering images in the Far East, England and Cyprus. There was William Carrick in Russia, Robert Macpherson in Italy and several Scots working in India. In the USA there was Alexander Gardner and William Notman in Canada. There were others in China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. There were in fact too many Scottish photographers working abroad to include them all in this chapter. Another aspect of photographic involvement abroad was the increasing number of Scottish tourists, who travelled widely and collected photographs by local photographers of the places they visited.

The status and prestige of Scottish photographers can be encapsulated in two photographs. One is of Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union in the American Civil War, shortly before his assassination. It is a powerful image, showing in his gaunt lined face the toll the war had taken. The other is Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, shown with his wife in a sumptuous and dignified studio portrait.