Collection Online as of December 6, 2023
The Photographic Album for the Year 1855
Gateway to Borwick Hall, Lancashire
Rev. John Richardson Major
(British, 1821–1871)
Salted paper print from calotype negative
Image: 16.9 x 22 cm (6 5/8 x 8 11/16 in.); Matted: 35.6 x 45.7 cm (14 x 18 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1987.134
Location
not on view
Rev. John Richardson Major
Reverend John Richardson Major British, 1821-1871
Born in Thetford, Major was the eldest son and namesake of John Richardson Major (1797-1876). Both father and son were interested in photography and belonged to the Photographic Exchange Club, where the younger Major was an honorary secretary and treasurer. In addition, both were associated with King's College School. The senior Major was the first headmaster, earning the title of Reverend Doctor, or Reverend J. R. Major, D.D. His son attended the school, then went to Exeter College, Oxford, took orders in 1846, and returned to King's College School as assistant master under his father, becoming known as Reverend J. R. Major, F.S.A. After his father's forced resignation, Major resigned in 1856 and moved to Gloucester to become headmaster of Wye College in Kent. Major was a member of the Society of Antiquaries and is known for his albumen prints of great houses and abbeys in England. K.L.C.