READ THIS IS REALLY GOOD I PROMISE
Alexander Gardner (1821-1882) was born in Paisley, Renfew, Scotland. At the age of fourteen he left school and became an apprentice jeweler. In 1850, Gardner and his brother James, along with seven others made the trip to America. Here they established a cooperative community close to Monona, in Clayton County, Iowa. Gardner would return to Scotland to raise more money and gain new recruits for their community.
In May 1851, Gardner visited the "Great Exhibition" in Hyde Park, where he saw photographs. He soon afterwards became interested in learning about photogarphy.
Gardner decide to permenently emigarte to the United States in 1856. When he arrives Clydesdale community in Iowa, he discovers it had been infected with tuberculosis. Gadner decides to abandon his community and settle with his family in New York. Soon after doing so, he finds employment with the photographer Mathew Brady. He quickly develops into an outstanding photographer.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Gardner finds himself working for Brady and travelling throughout the United States taking pictures of the war and it's effects on America. In November of 1861, General McClellan appoints Gardner to his staff with the honorary rank of captain. Gardner photographed the battles of Antietam, Fredercksburg, Gettysburg, and the siege of Petersburg.
Gardner was also the photographer who took pictures of the Lincoln assassination conspirators as they ere arrested and as they were executed. Four months after this he photographed the execution of Confederate Henry Wirz.
After the war Gardner set up his own gallery in Washington D.C. One of his jobs included taking pictures of criminals for the police force. He also published a two-volume collection of Civil War photographs.
In 1867 Gardner became the official photographer of the Union Pacific Railroad. As well as documenting the building of the railroad, Gardner also photographed Native Americans living in the area.
i found a picture he took of lincoln and ugh it was seriously really amazing so i decided to look up more about him and i really like him. heres some of his work along with that lincoln picture i adore.
