York’s First Photographs

The first photographs taken in York, depicting Victorian visionaries, innovators and influencers, will be on display in York Museum Gardens and Library Lawn as part of a new trail from Wednesday 29th August.

One of the collection of first photographs ever taken in York, 1844

In 1844, the greatest scientific minds in the UK gathered for the York meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
Their visit was captured on camera by D O Hill and R Adamson, leaders in their field, and these very early photographs, known as calotypes, are believed to have been the very first taken in York. The photographs have be reproduced with the permission of the National Galleries Scotland.
Follow the trail to discover more about twelve Victorians who made their mark on York and the world of science.