St Andrews and the Development of Photography
The history of photography at the University of St Andrews is rich and significant, as the institution was a pivotal centre for the study and development of photography since the early days of the medium.
Early Adoption and Development
The University of St Andrews is recognized as one of the earliest centres for photography in the UK dating from the 1840s. Photography was introduced to the university just a few years after the invention of the daguerreotype process in 1839. Dr. John Adamson, a physician and lecturer at the university, was one of the earliest practitioners of photography in Scotland. His brother, Robert Adamson, became famous for his collaboration with the painter David Octavius Hill, creating some of the most iconic early photographs.
John Adamson took the first calotype portrait in Scotland, further establishing St Andrews as a hub for photographic innovation. The calotype process, developed by William Henry Fox Talbot, was the first negative-positive process, allowing for multiple copies of a photograph to be made.
Earl photographic process were Daguerreotype and Albumen developed in France and Calotype and Wet Collodian developed in England. Calotype was the first process that created a negative-positive from which multiple prints could be made.
Photographic Societies and Collections
The St Andrews Literary and Philosophical Society played a crucial role in fostering interest in photography. Members of the society, including the Adamson brothers and Sir David Brewster, a physicist and principal of the United College at St Andrews, were instrumental in promoting the use of photography for scientific and artistic purposes.
In 1864, the university established the first photographic society in Scotland. It became a key forum for discussing the scientific and artistic aspects of photography. The society's members included some of the most prominent photographers of the time, and it served as a platform for sharing techniques, innovations, and the latest developments in photography.
Archival Collections
Over time, the University of St Andrews amassed a significant collection of photographs. The university's archives include works by early pioneers of photography, such as the Adamson brothers and David Octavius Hill, as well as photographs by later practitioners like George Washington Wilson and James Valentine.
The University of St Andrews' Special Collections holds one of the most important photographic archives in the world. The collection includes early daguerreotypes, calotypes, and later photographic prints, as well as equipment and documents related to the history of photography.
Famous photographers - St Andrews
associated with St Andrews
Robert Adamson (1821–1848)
Robert Adamson was one of the pioneers of photography in Scotland and is closely associated with St Andrews. He was born in Burnside, near St Andrews, and studied at the University of St Andrews before turning to photography.
Adamson is best known for his collaboration with the painter David Octavius Hill. Together, they created some of the earliest and most influential photographic portraits, using the calotype process. Their work includes iconic images of notable figures, such as Sir Walter Scott and the Disruption Assembly of 1843, which documented the split in the Church of Scotland.
Adamson's work with Hill is considered ground-breaking in the history of photography, blending art and photography in a way that set the standard for portrait photography. Their collaboration is one of the most significant in the early history of the medium.
John Adamson (1809–1870)
John Adamson, the elder brother of Robert Adamson, was also a prominent figure in the early days of photography in St Andrews. He was a physician and lecturer at the University of St Andrews.
He was instrumental in bringing the calotype process to Scotland, and he was one of the first to use it for portrait photography. He is credited with taking the first calotype portrait in Scotland.
John Adamson’s work laid the groundwork for his brother Robert’s later collaboration with David Octavius Hill. His contributions to the early development of photography in St Andrews are significant, particularly in the context of the university's role as a centre for photographic innovation.
Thomas Rodger (1832–1883)
Thomas Rodger was a pioneering Scottish photographer born in St Andrews. He trained under John Adamson and was one of the first students of the newly established science of photography.
He opened his photographic studio in St Andrews in 1849, becoming one of the first professional photographers in Scotland. He was known for his portrait photography and for capturing images of local people and university figures.
Rodger’s studio became well-known, and his work was highly regarded during his lifetime. Many of his photographs are now held in the collections of the University of St Andrews, contributing to the visual history of the town and its people.
George Washington Wilson (1823–1893)
George Washington Wilson was a significant Scottish photographer who captured many images of St Andrews and the surrounding areas. He was one of Scotland’s leading landscape and architectural photographers in the 19th century.
His work included a wide range of subjects, but he is particularly noted for his scenic views of Scotland. His images of St Andrews, including its famous landmarks like the cathedral ruins and the Old Course, were widely distributed as postcards and prints.
Wilson’s photographs helped popularise St Andrews as a tourist destination. His work remains an important part of Scotland's photographic heritage, with many of his images held in national collections.
James Valentine & Valentine & Sons
James Valentine, founder of Valentine & Sons, was a Scottish photographer and postcard publisher. He studied photography at the University of St Andrews where he became an acquaintance of Thomas Rodger. His base was in Dundee and his company produced numerous photographs and postcards of St Andrews.
Valentine’s images of St Andrews included iconic views of the university, the cathedral, and other landmarks. His postcards were popular with tourists and helped spread the fame of St Andrews far beyond Scotland.
The Valentine collection is a valuable historical resource, documenting the changing landscape and architecture of St Andrews over time.
Fall in love with Valentine's.
These photographers played a crucial role in the early development of photography and in documenting the history and culture of St Andrews. Their work continues to be studied and appreciated for its artistic, historical, and cultural significance.