William Henry Jackson
William Henry Jackson(April 4, 1843 – June 30, 1942) was an American painter, Civil War veteran, geological survey photographer and an explorer famous for his images of the American West. He was a great-great nephew of Samuel Wilson, the progenitor of America's national symbol Uncle Sam.
Biography[edit]
Born, Keeseville, NewYork,1843. Retoucherandartist in Troy, New York studio, 1857; similar job in Rutland, Vermont, 1860. Civil War volunteer 1861–63; returned to Rutland studio. Artist in Burlington, Vermont studio, 1 864. Left New York City l 866, for West; various jobs including builwhacking. Formed Jackson Brothers, Photographers, 1867. Married Mollie Greer in 1869, and photographed Wyoming. “Official Photographer,” for F. V. Hayden and U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey, 1870–1879. Moved to Washington in 1872, wife died in childbirth. Married Emilie Painter, 1873. Photographed members of Ute tribe, 1874. Organized Survey’s exhibit, Philadelphia Centennial, 1876. Founded The Jackson Photographic Co., Denver, Colorado, 1879,’ work began as “official railroad photographer.” Incorporated as W. H. Jackson Photograph and Publishing Co., 1883. Exhibited and photographed World’s Columbia Exposition, Chicago, 1893. World Transportation Commission tour with Harper’s Weekly assignments, 1894–1896. Part owner, The Detroit Publishing Go. Photographed actively until 1903-, retired from the Detroit Publishing Co., 1924. Mural commission from Department of the Interior, 1936, paintings for National Park Service in 1937. Honorary Fellow, Royal Photographic Society, 1938. Watercolors com- pleted for Oregon Trail Association., 1939. Published autobiography, Time Exposure, 1940. Honorary degree from University of Wyoming (Laramie), 1941. Died, New York City, 30 June 1942 [1].
