1857 Hugh Miller portrait photograph
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1857 Hugh Miller portrait photograph
1856. Hugh Miller, Scottish geologist and palaeontologist. Born 1802 died 1856. Photographic frontispiece of author by J.G. Tunny in some first editions of Millers posthumous 1857 book " Testimony of the Rocks; or geology in its bearing on the two theologies, natural and revealed". Gernsheim, " Incunabala of British Photographic literature", p.67, cites this as the first book to ever include a photograph of its author. Miller was a stonesmason who went on to become a self-trained geologist/author. He is particularly associated with the mainly Devonian old red sandstone of Scotland. His suicide while preparing to publish this book, diminished his reputation and some say damaged geology as a victorian hobby. Often cited as a fevered result of a conflict between science and religion - his brief suicide note seems to suggest he was scared of injuring his family during delusions (psychosis)
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Media ID 6318833
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Creationist Depression Devonian Geologist Mental Illness Natural Theology Palaeontological Psychosis Psychotic Religion Science And Religion Scot Land Scottish Suicide Early Photography Old Red Sandstone Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the 1857 Hugh Miller portrait photograph, capturing the essence of a remarkable Scottish geologist and palaeontologist. Born in 1802 and tragically passing away in 1856, Hugh Miller's legacy lives on through this photographic frontispiece featured in some first editions of his posthumous book "Testimony of the Rocks; or geology in its bearing on the two theologies, natural and revealed". Taken by J. G. Tunny, this image holds historical significance as it is cited as being the first book to ever include a photograph of its author. Miller's journey from being a stonesmason to becoming a self-trained geologist/author is truly inspiring. Renowned for his association with Scotland's mainly Devonian old red sandstone, Miller made significant contributions to the field of geology. However, his untimely suicide while preparing to publish this very book had lasting effects on both his reputation and Victorian-era geology as a hobby. Often interpreted as an unfortunate consequence of conflicts between science and religion during that time period, Miller's brief suicide note suggests he was driven by delusions (psychosis) and feared harming his family. This thought-provoking print not only captures an important figure in scientific history but also sheds light on mental illness within academia. It serves as a reminder that even brilliant minds can be plagued by personal struggles.
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