Samuel Dixon Bourne

Place: Napley Heath

Born: 1834

Death: 1912

Biography:

Samuel Dixon Bourne was a British photographer known for his prolific seven years' work in India, from 1863 to 1870. Together with Charles Shepherd, he set up Bourne & Shepherd first in Shimla in 1863 and later in Kolkata (Calcutta). Bourne was born in Napley Heath, near Mucklestone, on the Staffordshire and Shropshire border to Thomas Bourne and Harriet née Dobson.

Early Life and Career

Bourne was educated by a clergyman near Fairburn and secured a job with Moore and Robinson's Bank, Nottingham in 1855. His amateur photographic activities started at about this time and he quickly became an accomplished landscape photographer, soon lecturing on photography and contributing technical articles to several photographic journals.

Photographic Work in India

In 1863, Bourne made a photographic tour of the Lake District, and in 1859, displayed photographs at the Nottingham Photographic Society's annual exhibition. The following year, his photographs were also shown in London, at the London International Exhibition of 1862. This reception he received motivated him to give up his position at the bank, and set sail for India to work as a professional photographer; arriving in Calcutta early in 1863.

Notable Works

Some of Bourne's notable works include:

• Paigah Tomb, which showcases the intricate architectural details and vibrant colors that define Indian artistry.
• Group of Bhooteas, Darjeeling, which captures four individuals from the Bhote region of southern Tibet, dressed in traditional garments called bakhus.
• Interiors of Moti Masjid, Agra Fort, which is a testament to India's architectural marvels.
• Marochetti, which features a statue of Jesus Christ on a pedestal in front of a building with a cross above it.
• Tomb of Itmad-ud Daulah, which is a magnificent mausoleum located in Agra, India.

work can be found on Wikioo.org, where you can view and order museum-quality prints of his photographs. His legacy as a photographer continues to inspire and influence artists to this day. For more information, visit the Museum of Art - Photography (Bangalore, India) or check out Wikioo.org.