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George Washington Wilson: Queen Victoria’s Photographer in Scotland: University of Aberdeen Library
This exhibition is in the past. View our current exhibitions.

    The Exhibition

    Born into humble beginnings in Forglen, Aberdeenshire, George Washington Wilson (1823–93) rose to become one of the most successful commercial photographers in the world. Wilson began his professional career as a portrait painter but quickly embraced the new medium that was photography in the early 1850s. His defining moment came when he was commissioned to photograph the construction of the new Balmoral Castle in 1854. From that moment on, Wilson self-styled himself as ‘Photographer to the Queen', a title that was officially ratified in 1873 as 'Photographer to Her Majesty in Scotland'.

    Wilson is best known for his Scottish landscape work in areas immortalised within the pages of Sir Walter Scott's novels as well as contemporary guidebooks. The artist photographer had an eye not only for the Picturesque, but also for commercial opportunities, with examples of his work available to buy across the whole of the United Kingdom. By the time of his death, Wilson & Co. was one of the most successful landscape photography publishing businesses in the world.

    A photograph from the catalogue of Queen Victoria's Private Negatives, Vol. I. Full length portrait of Queen Victoria seated on her pony Fyvie. On the left is John Brown, holding the pony's bridle. On the right is John Grant
    George Washington Wilson's early photography

    Wilson trained as an artist but took up photography in 1852

    Photograph of a geographical feature comprising a chasm and a river. The photograph is framed on either side by sheer rock faces with water running through at the bottom. On the left is an over-hanging tree branch with ferns and indigenous plants. In
    Tourism and photography

    The growing appeal of Scotland as a tourist destination led to a demand for photographic souvenirs

    Photograph of a scene from the play 'A Scrap of Paper' that was performed at Balmoral Castle on two occasions; once on the 24th October 1893 and the second on the 30th October 1893. Performing in the role of Brisemouche is the Major He
    The final years of G.W. Wilson & Co.

    Following Wilson's retirement the Wilson & Co. business was run by his sons

    Photograph of the town of Oban with houses standing next to bay. Ships of varying sizes are on the water and an area of open grassland with a boy seated with his back to the viewer can be seen in the foreground. Following the visit of Sir Walter Scott to
    Mapping Wilson's views

    Use this map to see the geographic spread of Wilson's views

    Stereoscopic photograph of the decorative fountain in the forecourt of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh. On the right of the background is the main entrance to the Palace. The fountain at the Palace of Holyroodhouse was built by Robert Matheso
    Stereographs

    Explore Wilson's stereographs with these short animations

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    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.