John Adamson (physician)
John Adamson | |
---|---|
Born | 12 December 1809[1] St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
Died | 11 August 1870 Dulnain Bridge, Moray, Scotland | (aged 60)
Occupations |
|
Known for | First calotype portrait in Scotland |
Spouse |
Esther Christina Alexander
(m. 1850) |
Relatives | Robert Adamson (brother) |
John Adamson (12 December 1809 – 11 August 1870) was a Scottish physician, pioneer photographer, physicist, lecturer and museum curator. He was a highly respected figure in St Andrews, and was responsible for producing the first calotype portrait in Scotland in 1841. He taught the process to his brother, the famous pioneering photographer Robert Adamson. He was curator of the Literary and Philosophical Society Museum at St Andrews from 1838 until his death.
Biography
Adamson was born in St Andrews, and grew up in Burnside, the eldest of 10 children born to Alexander Adamson, a Fife farmer and his wife, Rachael Melville.[2]
Adamson was educated in the
Adamson died in Dulnain Bridge, Moray in 1870.[10] He married Esther Christina Alexander in 1850.[11] Their children included Esther Hamilton Proctor Adamson (1856–1929), John Adamson Jr., Robert Oswald Adamson and Alexander Archibald Adamson.[12] His daughter Esther married Rev. William Weir Tulloch, the son of John Tulloch, principal of St Andrews University.
Legacy
There is a blue plaque in his honour on his home at 127 South Street in St Andrews, where he lived from 1848 to 1865. It says "He was a physician and pioneer photographer. In 1841 he took the first caloptype portrait. He also taught his brother Robert and Thomas Rodger the technique and art of photography. A town councillor, he was a tireless worker for public health, and the hospital here is, in part, his memorial."[13][14] His home became the main post office of St Andrews from 1907, but in 2012 it was converted into a restaurant, named The Adamson.[15]
References
- ^ John Adamson at FamilySearch.org
- ^ a b c Hill, David Octavius; Adamson, Robert; Ovenden, Graham (1973). Hill & Adamson photographs. Academy Editions. p. 6. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Dr John Adamson M.D. of St Andrews". University of St Andrews. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Adamson, John (1809–1870)". National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-903278-32-1. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ISBN 9780903598453. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ Hutchinson Encyclopedia 8th Edition (1988), p.10
- ^ National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (1988). ROSC. John Donald Publishers, and National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. p. 65. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995
- ^ Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910
- ^ Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950
- ^ Blue Plaque for John Adamson
- ^ Plaque #11051 on Open Plaques
- ^ "Story". The Adamson. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2012.