|
Professional Photographers
Robert Kemp Thomson |
|
Robert
Kemp Thomson joined Edinburgh Photographic
Society during the 1890-91 session.
He was one of many photographers who were based at 54 Cockburn Street.
He was there from 1888 to 1898. Here is a full list of all the
photographers I have found based at that address:
|
Myles, J
|
1863
|
|
Wright,
Charles
|
1864-77
|
|
Cowan, William
|
1878-79
|
|
Annan, John
|
1880
|
|
Stirrat,
R, & Co.
|
1883-84
|
|
Borley,
William Maule
|
1885
|
|
Cockburn Photo Company
|
1885-86
|
|
Thomson,
Robert Kemp
|
1888-98
|
|
Low, Claude
|
1898-09
|
|
Kilgour,
George
|
1907-10
|
|
Photo Illustrations
(Scotland) Ltd.
|
1962
|
|
|
Here is one of Robert Kemp Thomson's advertisements from
1895:
|
Artist,
photographer
Any picture copied, enlarged or reduced to any size
and finished
in oil, water colour or crayon
Copies
can always be obtained
|
|
|
Update 1
Robert Kemp Thomson
|
|
Alexander Keith wrote:
Alexander Keith
Plate Polisher
"My grandfather, Alexander Keith, may have
worked as a plate polisher for RK Thomson at 54 Cockburn St. I have
been trying to find out if there are any records of this studio at all."
Cockburn Hotel
"I notice that Kemp Thomson was head of house
at the Cockburn Hotel where Alexander's wife Jessie worked as a maid.
We suspect Alexander worked there too prior to getting involved in photography."
Frederick Davidson
Photographer
"Alexander also shared a room with
Frederick Davidson,
another Edinburgh photographer."
Alexander Keith: April 9, 2010 |
|
Update 2
Robert Kemp Thomson
|
|
Alexander Keith added:
1901 Census
"At the time of the 1901 census,
Robert Kemp Thomson was at 6 Balgreen Wigtown then aged 37.
His date of birth is given as 1864 and his occupation photographer."
Death
"Robert Kemp Thomson died at 6
Bank Street, Wigtown, in 1929."
Meikle Kemp
"I don't know if you knew this.
Robert Kemp Thomson was grandson of Meikle Kemp who designed the Scott
monument."
©
54 Cockburn Street
"The premises at 54 Cockburn
street were shared by Thomas Keith and an eye hospital in the 19th
century."
Alexander Keith: April 14+15, 2010 |
|
Update 3
Robert Kemp Thomson
|
|
Thank you to Lynne McCubbin who wrote:
Wigtown
"Robert Kemp Thomson
opened a photographer's studio in Wigtown when he left Edinburgh.
It appeared in the Wigtown Directory of 1912."
Lynne McCubbin, Ayrshire, Scotland: September 2, 2010 |
|
Update 4
Robert Kemp Thomson
|
|
Thank you to Lynne McCubbin who wrote:
Death
"Robert died in 1929 Wigtown. He
had a son of the same name who died 1931. His son worked in a
creamery, so looks like the artistic/creative side was not continued!"
Lynne McCubbin, Ayrshire, Scotland: September 7, 2010 |
|
Robert Kemp Thomson
1891 Census |
|
The 1891 Census listed the following as resident at 54
Cockburn Street:
- Robert K Thomson, head, M aged 27, photographer,
born Edinburgh
- Helen G Thomson, wife, aged 23, born Aberdeen
- Robert K Thomson, son aged 2, born Edinburgh
- Alexander I Thomson, son, aged 4 months, born Edinburgh |
|
Robert Kemp Thomson
Carte de Visite |
|
Here
are the front and back of a carte de visite from the studio of RK Thomson,
produced
during the period 1888-98.
Cartes de visite are small photographs mounted
on card measuring about 3.5 ins x 2.25 ins.
RK
Thomson clearly took a pride in the way he presented his work. Artwork
on the back of cards such as those shown here. This artwork is typical of the period.
The backs of cartes de visite from earlier in the 19th century being much simpler, often showing
just the photographer's name and address.
|
|
