Today is the Birthday of renowned English Photographer and Botanist Anna Atkins. Search Engine Giant Google is celebrating her birthday with a Doodle on its Home Page.
Anna Atkins in a Photograph taken in 1861
She was born on March 16, 1799 at Tonbridge, United Kingdom and died on June 9, 1871 at Halstead, United Kingdom. Her mother Hester Anne Children “didn’t recover from the effects of childbirth” and died in 1800.
Below we present 5 awesome things about her which you must know.
1. She is considered as the first woman to create a photograph. Though there are some disputes over this, her claim is widely accepted.
2. She was the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images.
3. Her father John George Children was also a scientist of many interests who has been honoured by having the mineral childrenite and the Children’s python, Antaresia childreni, named after him.
4. Her Book “Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions” was first published in October 1843. It was mostly handwritten with limited copies in circulation.
5. Her books are very rare, and have fetched up to £229,000 in auction.