Brady Gallery

Thomas Alva Edison, American inventor, with his phonograph, c1878 (1955)

Thomas Alva Edison, American inventor, with his phonograph, c1878 (1955). Dubbed The Wizard of Menlo Park by a newspaper reporter, Edison (1847-1931) was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production to the process of invention, and therefore is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Edison is considered one of the most prolific inventors in history, holding 1093 US patents in his name, as well as many patents in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. A print from Mathew Brady Historian with a Camera by James D Horan, Bonanza Books, New York, 1955

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

John Surratt, member of the Lincoln conspiracy, 1866 (1955)

John Surratt, member of the Lincoln conspiracy, 1865 (1955). Surratt (1844-1916), pictured here in Papal Zouave uniform, was involved in an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap US President Abraham Lincoln with the intention of holding him for ransom in exchange for the release of Confederate prisoners of war. His mother, Mary Surratt, was executed for her involvement in the assassination of Lincoln, having given the conspirators accommodation in her boarding house. Surratt denied any involvement in the assassination plot, but fled overseas to avoid arrest. He served briefly in the Papal Zouaves in the Vatican City under the name of John Watson, before being recognised and escaping to Egypt. He was apprehended by US officials in Alexandria in November 1866 and was extradited to the United States for trial. He admitted his involvement in the kidnap attempt but continued to deny that he was involved in the assassination. He was eventually released after the case ended up in a mistrial with the statute of limitations having expired on all cahrges other than murder. A print from Mathew Brady Historian with a Camera by James D Horan, Bonanza Books, New York, 1955

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

General McClellans headquarters, Antietam, Maryland, American Civil War, 1861-1862 (1955)

General McClellan's headquarters, Antietam, Maryland, American Civil War, 1861-1862 (1955). Only a few federal officers knew that the man seated with a cigar in his hand was Allan Pinkerton, founder of the famous detective agency. Pinkerton, who organized the Union intelligence service, was known only as Major Allen'. Directly behind him is John C Babcock, who worked under Pinkerton. Next to him is George H Bangs, later a famous Pinkerton superintendent. Another Pinkerton operative, Angus K Littlefield, is on the left and the other seated man is William Moore, Secretary of War Edwin McMasters Stanton's private secretary. A print from Mathew Brady Historian with a Camera by James D Horan, Bonanza Books, New York, 1955

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images