A Hertfordshire Photograph from 1855

Gaddesden Park
Great Gaddesden

now Gaddesden Place

Taken in 1855 by William Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake in 1855

Barney Tyrwhitt-Drake provided a digital version of the photograph, the original of which is still in the family. He writes: My great grandfather Rev. William Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake was vicar of Great Gaddesden from 1875 to 1905. However, as a student he was one of the few amateurs who was allowed to experiment with Fox-Talbot's calotype process. In 1855 he took a photograph of what is today called Gaddesden Place, but was then known as Gaddesden Park.

Note that HALS holds Pedigrees, genealogical notes, printed books and other papers belonging to Rev W T Tyrwhitt Drake and his descendants, of Great Gaddesden, 1811-1959
 

There are Wikipedia entries for Fox-Talbot and Calotype

There is a web page for Great Gaddesden which shows picture of Gaddesden Place in 1905

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The Book Victorian and Edwardian Hertfordshire from old photographs includes a useful introduction to some of the pioneer photographers in the county.

If you can can provide further dating information  please tell me.

Page created July 2008