Thomas Richard Williams 1824 - 1871

Thomas Richard Williams (1824-1871), born Blackfriars in the City of London; apprenticed in early 1840s to Antoine Claudet, renowned photographer and inventor; specialized in stereo daguerreotypes; parted from Claudet in late 1840s, possibly to work with Beard; Williams took stereo daguerreotypes of Great Exhibition in 1851 and photographed the opening of Crystal Palace in 1854; opened studio at 35 West Square, Lambeth, followed by second in Regents Street in 1854; Williams entered into an agreement with the London Stereoscopic Company in 1856 to publish his stereo photographs; photographed British Royal Family during 1850s and 1860s; member of Photographic Society from 1853; member of Council from 1861; also member of North London Photographic Society from 1863 and South London Photographic Society from 1864; a founding member of the Solar Club formed 1866; began to produce carte de visites instead of stereoscopic images late 1850s, although a few were still produced; exhibited in England and Europe; award medals for his work in Paris and London; health declined in late 1860s; took on William Mayland as a partner to ensure the continuity of the business, but died shortly afterwards; son Arthur Richard continued in partnership with Mayland for a few years, until the business was dissolved in 1876.