Monday, December 16, 2013

The Tennyson Family photographs taken by Julia Margaret Cameron

I have come across some wonderful photographs of Alfred Tennyson, his brothers, his son Lionel, his nieces, and one of his father-in-law that I just wanted to share with you all.  I hope you enjoy them...Let's start with two of Julia Margaret Cameron herself...

 Unknown photographer. Julia Margaret Cameron holding a watch on a chain. Note her beautiful Celtic brooch atop her lace trimmed collar. Albumen print, private collection, about 1856.

Julia Margaret Cameron with her two sons Charles and Henry Cameron, 1856, Stephen White Collection II, Albumen print. Unknown photographer

T
I just love this one! 

Alfred Tennyson's brothers:  Charles Turner Tennyson, Frederick Tennyson and Horatio Tennyson
 
Charles Tennyson (1808-1879)
A writer, like his brother Alfred Tennyson, Charles received a B.A. from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1832 and changed his name to Charles Turner Tennyson in 1835 on succeeding to his great uncle’s property. He published sonnets in 1830, 1864, 1868, and 1873.

Frederick Tennyson (1807-1898)
The eldest brother of Alfred Tennyson, Frederick quarreled with their father and in 1835 left for Italy, where he lived for twenty-three years. In Florence he met Robert Browning and became his close friend. After returning to England, he found his brother’s fame hard to accept and thought Emily Tennyson snobbish and overly ambitious.

Horatio Tennyson (1819-1899)
The youngest Tennyson brother seems to have been unworldly. Apart from a failed attempt to be a farmer in Tasmania, he never took up a profession.



Cecelia Tennyson ‘Cecy’ (1859-1918)
Cecelia Tennyson was Alfred Tennyson's niece and one of the five children of Horatio Tennyson. Cecelia and her siblings lost their mother in 1868. Emily Tennyson arranged for the children to rent one of Cameron’s cottages and found them a nurse and governess. Cecelia became Mrs.Pope upon her marriage.

Violet and Maud Tennyson were sisters of Cecelia Tennyson, daughters of Horatio Tennyson and nieces of Alfred Tennyson



Lionel Tennyson (1854-1886)
The second son of Alfred Tennyson, Lionel was a childhood friend of the younger Cameron boys, joined the India Office in 1877, and married Eleanor Locker, daughter of Frederick Locker in Westminster Abbey the following year. He contracted malaria in India and never recovered, dying at sea just a month after his thirty-second birthday.

Julia Margaret Cameron photographs of Lionel Tennyson, age 21 when these photographs were taken in 1875 with Emily Peacock. I have never seen these before! So glad I found them. 


Lastly, Julia Margaret Cameron's photograph of Emily Tennyson's father, Henry Sellwood; grandfather to Hallam and Lionel Tennyson on their mother's side.  I've never seen this before, only a portrait painting of him with a very good likeness!  


Henry Sellwood (1782-1867)
Father of Emily Tennyson. Born in Berkshire, he moved to Horncastle, Lincolnshire, where he worked as an attorney. He was an influential member of the town who also acted as a banker and helped to establish the town’s first National School.

Sadly, I found no photographs of Emily Tennyson and just one of their eldest son, Hallam Tennyson which has been seen before. 
 

 

7 comments:

Hels said...

I too have seen the Cameron photos of Tennyson himself, but not of his extended family. What a shame. For photos that were captured from the mid century on, they were amazing.

I suppose this is not too surprising. From 1874 on the Isle of Wight, it was with Tennyson’s encouragement that Cameron published her own work with albumen silver prints interspersed with texts by Tennyson, lithographed from Cameron’s hand-writing. One volume appeared in Jan 1875 and the second in May, selling well. Both frontispieces had a portrait of Tennyson.

Thanks for the excellent link
Hels
http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/julia-cameron-lord-tennyson-and-isle-of.html

Anonymous said...

Nice old pictures and descriptions! Shared.

Kimberly Eve said...

Hi Hels,
Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly and have seen some of her Tennyson photos up-close in the current exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. What a joy that was. I didn't want to leave that room as you can imagine! Oh Tennyson's Idylls of the King with Cameron's own handwriting = perfection! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I enjoy your blog very much.

Hi Jeanne,
I'm so glad you enjoyed the photographs and thanks so much for sharing and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it!

Kevin Marsh said...

Hello Kimberly,

I did notice the Celtic brooch worn by Julia, isn't it a Claddagh?
These are a fine collection of photographs, a great insight into the personal life of Tennyson.
They are amazing and I'm so pleased you shared them.

All the best.

Kevin

Kimberly Eve said...

Hi Kevin,
It sure looks like a Claddagh but it is hard to see it so clearly. I've only seen Claddagh rings but it looks like it could be Celtic knots woven together? So glad you enjoyed these photographs. I always love sharing what I find but knowing so many other friends enjoy them as well, couldn't be better! Thanks for stopping by and staying a while!

Laura Morrigan said...

I love the Cecilia ones, with the big butterfly in her hair and that pretty dress with the star and embroidery. I love the Emily Peacock ones too! I want her outfit! I love Julia Margaret Cameron!

Kimberly Eve said...

Hi Laura,
I know I love the Cecelia ones, too! I would love to wear some of those dresses as well. Thanks for commenting. I'm so glad you enjoyed the photos and the beautiful dresses. You have a great eye for detail! As a true artist would.

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