Mathew Brady, Father of Photojournalism

Brady, Imperial salt print, 1858. Mathew B. Brady (1822 - January 15, 1896) was one of the most celebrated 19th century American photographers, best known for his portraits of celebrities and his documentation of the American Civil War. He is credited with being the father of photojournalism. His early images were daguerreotypes, and he won many awards for his work. In the 1850's ambrotype photography became popular, which gave way to the albumen print, a paper photograph produced from large glass negatives most commonly used in the American Civil War photography. After taking numerous photographs of soldiers before going off to war he decided he needed to document the war itself. President Lincoln granted permission in 1861 with the provision that he finance the project himself. His efforts to document the American Civil War on a grand scale by bringing his photographic studio right onto the battlefields earned Brady his place in history. But once the war was over the public lost interest in seeing his photos, and his popularity and practice declined drastically. During the war, Brady spent over $100, 000 to create over 10, 000 plates. He expected the government to buy the photographs when the war ended, but when the government refused to do so he was forced to sell his New York City studio and go into bankruptcy. Congress granted Brady $25, 000 in 1875, but he remained deeply in debt. Depressed by his financial situation, loss of eyesight and devastated by the death of his wife in 1887, he became very lonely. He died penniless in the charity ward of Presbyterian Hospital in New York City on January 15, 1896, from complications following a streetcar accident

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