Matthew Brady
Born: May 18, 1822
Birthplace: Warren County, New York
Father: Andrew Brady 1788 – 1870
Mother: Samantha Julia Brady 1790 – 1869
Wife: Julia B. Handy 1823 – 1887
(Buried: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.)
Education:
Student of Painter William Page
Student of Samuel F. B. Morse
Occupation before War:
1839: Met Jacques Daguerre in France
Manufacturer of leather cases for daguerreotypes
1844: Opened his own photography studio in New York
1845: Started to exhibit his famous portraits of Famous Americans
1849: Opened a studio at 625 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Winner of many awards for his work with daguerreotypes
1850: Producer of The Gallery of Illustrious Americans
1856: Placed an Ad in the New York Herald offering his services
Civil War Career:
Producer of cartes de visite to departing Soldiers
1861: Applied to General Winfield Scott to be able to capture battle
1861: Granted Permission by President Abraham Lincoln but Brady would need to finance the project himself
Known for his photographs that showed battlefield scenes
1861: His famous first photos were of First Battle of Bull Run
Hired 23 Photographers to help document the Civil War
Organizer of his assistants Brady stayed in D.C. Rarely visiting himself
1862: Opened The Dead of Antietam in New York Gallery
Thousands of Photos are in U.S. National Archives & Library of Congress
It is believed $100,000.00 was spent to create 10,000 plates
Brady Expected the U.S. Government to buy the photos after the war
Occupation after War:
The Federal Government refused to buy his photographs after the war
Brady Was forced to sell his New York City Studio & went bankrupt
1875: U.S. Congress granted Brady $25,000.00 but remained in debt
Suffered from the effects of loss of eyesight and depression
Died: January 15, 1896
Place of Death: Charity Ward of Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, New York
Cause of Death: Streetcar Accident
Age at time of Death: 73 years old
Burial Place: Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
His Funeral was financed by veterans of 7th New York Infantry Regiment
- Known to have photographed 18 of 19 Presidents, between John Quincy Adams and William McKinley, the exception being William Henry Harrison.
- His Lincoln Photos have been used on the $5.00 bill, and Lincoln Penny.
- Brady also photographed President Jefferson Davis, as well as Lee, and other Confederate Generals.
- Brady photographed British Ambassador Lord Lyons in D.C.
- Brady is known as the father of Photo-journalism.
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