Robert Cornelius (1809-1899)
Among the first practitioners of daguerreotypy in America, Robert Cornelius is credited with taking the first true photographic portrait in America – a self-portrait.
Cornelius was a pricipal in the family lighting fixtures business in Philadelphia and had an extensive background in metal plating techniques. In October, 1839, Cornelius began to experiment with daguerreotype plates, and in early of December of the same year, he combined talents with Dr. Paul Beck [...] Click here to continue reading.