Rev. Charles John Brown 1843 - 1847

This calotype was made in Scotland by David Hill and Robert Adamson, sometime in the 1840s. It depicts Reverend Charles John Brown, a figure who would have been recognizable to many in Edinburgh at the time. Hill and Adamson were pioneers of photography, but their work also says a lot about the social fabric of their time. They made hundreds of portraits, many of which were of prominent members of Scottish society. This image of Reverend Brown is a window into the world of the Scottish church. Here we see a man of the cloth, holding a book, perhaps the Bible, a potent symbol of his faith and the institution he represents. The picture suggests a society deeply rooted in religious tradition. To understand this image, it is important to consider the history of the Scottish church, its role in society, and the social and political forces that shaped it. This is the task of the historian: to look beyond the surface and to delve into the complex web of social and institutional forces that shape artistic production.