John Herschel Takes First Glass Plate Photograph
John Herschel, an influential figure in both astronomy and photography, made a significant contribution to the latter by taking the first glass plate photograph on September 9, 1839. This historic image depicted his father's telescope and marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of photographic techniques. Born on March 7, 1792, in Buckinghamshire, England, Herschel was the son of renowned astronomer William Herschel, who discovered Uranus. Herschel is credited with coining essential terms in photography, including "photography," "negative," "positive," and "snapshot." His development of light-sensitive paper in 1839 further advanced photographic processes. Although glass plate photography became widely used throughout the 19th century, it was eventually replaced by newer technologies. Herschel's legacy extends beyond photography; he served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society and was honored with a barony by Queen Victoria in 1850. He passed away on May 11, 1871, in Kent, England, leaving a lasting impact on both fields.
John Herschel Takes First Glass Plate Photograph
John Herschel Takes First Glass Plate Photograph
On September 9, 1839, Sir John Frederick William Herschel took the first glass plate picture in the history of photography. Herschel, born March 7, 1792, in Buckinghamshire, England, was the son of astronomer William Herschel who discovered the planet Uranus, and the son's first glass plate photo was of his father's telescope in Slough, near London. The younger Herschel became an astronomer as well but also made important contributions to the nascent field of photography. It was actually Herschel who coined the word photography, along with the terms negative, positive, and snap-shot in relation to this new medium. His development of light-sensitive paper in 1839 for the taking of pictures was another major advancement. Glass plate photography became common in the 19th century, though it was later superseded by other methods. Herschel went on to become president of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1848, was given the title of Baron in 1850 by Queen Victoria, and died on May 11, 1871, in Kent, England.