John Thomson (1837-1921)

Published to accompany and exhibition at the National Library of Scotland, this work draws attention to John Thomson's role as one of the most crucial innovators in the art of photography. Born in Edinburgh, John Thomson travelled with his camera to the far edges of the British Empire, taking many photographs and writing large quantities of text to accompany them. His subject matter covers an impressive sweep, ranging from architecture, archaeology and landscapes, to formal portraiture and street and salon photography.