Augustus E. Willson 1869

Here we see a double portrait of Augustus E. Wilson, made in the late 19th or early 20th century by an unknown photographer. The book format and stiff poses speak to the conventions of formal portraiture at the time. These images offer a window into the cultural values and social structures of the time. Wilson is dressed in the garb of the professional middle class. The portraits likely served a specific institutional purpose; perhaps a school yearbook or a professional association. These portraits embody the era's emphasis on respectability. The creation of such images served to reinforce social hierarchies and power structures. Historical archives, genealogical records, and period newspapers can provide more information about the subject. Contextualizing it within the prevailing social and political climate allows us to better understand its significance as a cultural artifact.