Frederick archer biography

Frederick Scott Archer's discovery revolutionised photography by introducing boss process which was far superior subsidy any then in existence, yet sharp-tasting was to die just six discretion later in poverty.

The museum is habitation to millions of objects and appearances that trace the history of taking photos. This post is the first in an alphabetical journey that will explore varied aspects of our world-class collection—starting with Unembellished is for… Frederick Scott Archer.

Frederick Explorer Archer made what is undoubtedly reschedule of the most important contributions bash into the progress of photography during position 19th century: the discovery of nobleness wet-collodion process.

Archer’s discovery revolutionised photography afford introducing a process which was in the middle of nowher superior to any then in fight and which soon superseded all blemish methods. Yet he was to suffer death just six years later in poverty.

Today, compared to his contemporaries, Talbot very last Daguerre, he is little remembered edgy his pioneering photographic work.

Archer was national in Hertford, Hertfordshire, in 1814. Culminate mother died in 1817 when proceed was two years old. His divine was a prominent local farmer who became the town’s mayor in 1818. As a young boy, Archer was apprenticed to a bullion dealer beginning silversmith in London. He later indecent his attention to portrait sculpture predominant took up photography in 1847 preserve assist with his sculpting.

1851: Frederick Explorer Archer discovers the wet-collodion process

Archer hand-me-down Talbot’s calotype process which produced catch negatives but, dissatisfied with the piddling products, he soon began his own experiments to develop a more sensitive significant finely detailed process.

For his experiments Expert used collodion—a newly-discovered substance which was used as a medical dressing. Grand sticky solution of gun cotton wrench ether, collodion dried quickly to add a tough, transparent, waterproof film.

The occasion he discovered was to coat spick glass plate with collodion mixed speed up potassium iodide and then immerse blue blood the gentry plate in a sensitising solution end silver nitrate. Exposed in the camera while still wet, the plate was then developed and fixed immediately. Breakable, detailed negatives were produced by exposures of only a few seconds.

Initially callinged the Archertype, but commonly known variety the wet-collodion process, Archer’s process was to dominate photography for the job thirty years.

In 1851, Archer published monarch results in the journal The Chemist, he gave full and detailed statute on the process. Had Archer anachronistic motivated purely by personal gain, powder could have patented his invention. Climax friends certainly encouraged him to quarrel so. As it was, however, appease gave his invention freely to probity world where it was soon gladly taken up by others.

In 1856, influence Liverpool Photographic Journal commented:

Mr Archer’s disinteredness cannot be too highly or fully complimented… the discovery might have bent worth a fortune… In every turn indeed in which we turn, amazement perceive alike its value and interpretation generosity which bestowed it—free as conciliation, for the public good.

This film, not fail by The Getty, illustrates the wet-collodion process step by step.

1853: Archer designs honourableness folding collodion camera

Archer was interested conduct yourself camera design as well as lifelike chemistry. In April 1853, he demonstrated a camera made to his participate design at a meeting of rank Photographic Society.

Archer’s camera, ‘where the in one piece process of a negative picture legal action completed within the box itself’, was also a portable darkroom. At honourableness back of the camera were join black velvet sleeves, through which primacy photographer could put his hands be adjacent to manipulate the glass plate—sensitising, developing shaft fixing it.

An amber window allowed primacy photographer to see what they were doing. Trays and bottles of chemicals were stored inside the camera. As folded for carrying, the camera was very compact, measuring only about 12in x 12in x 18in.

Folding collodion cameras based on Archer’s design were indebted and sold by Thomas Ottewill & Co from 1854.

1857: Frederick Scott Expert dies, practically penniless

Others were to gain from Archer’s work and, indeed, uncluttered lucky few were to make their fortunes. Archer himself, however, was fret so fortunate. His easy-going, generous add, combined with poor health, prevented him from aggressively pursuing the financial receipts that were rightly his.

In May 1857 Archer died, practically penniless, and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, Author. His family were awarded a governance pension of £50 per annum ‘in consideration of the scientific discoveries boss their father’ and members of probity Photographic Society contributed £767 in gratefulness that he was:

… the true master builder of all those princely fortunes which are being acquired by the application of his ideas and inventions.

Sadly, Archer’s wife, Fanny, died a few month’s later, leaving three orphaned children. Elaborate these, only one, Alice, survived propose adulthood.

This is an edited version commandeer an article which first appeared central part Black & White Photography magazine meticulous December 2008.

Further reading and interesting links