New photography by Pat Cagney captured with a digital camera.

Edwin Booth

ArtistProbably Charles DeForest Fredericks (American, 1823-1894)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1864

MediumSalt print

DimensionsOverall: 11 1/2 x 9 1/8 in. (29.2 x 23.2 cm)
Overall, Frame: 28 1/8 x 24 1/8 in. (71.4 x 61.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange

Object number98.32.109

Collections

Photography

Not on view

DescriptionThe David L. Hack Civil War Photography Collection. This sepia toned photograph shows a man from the chest area and up. He is clean shaven and dressed in a suit. He has wavy hair parted to the side and he is looking off into the right side of the photo. There is writing in the lower left corner. This is from _Gardner's Photographic Sketchbook of the War_ (Hack Collection No. 2].

Label TextProbably Charles DeForest Fredricks American, 1823−1894 Edwin Booth, ca. 1864 Salt print (photograph) Edwin Booth (1833−1893), the older brother of Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth, was one of the most respected actors of his day, particularly for his performances in Shakespearean roles. Pictures of celebrities were popular collectibles in the 1860s, and both John Wilkes and Edwin routinely posed for new portraits as part of their acting careers. Edwin inscribed this photograph with a dedication to the poet and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe (1819−1910), author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Although Edwin had no involvement in the assassination conspiracy, his career briefly suffered because of his brother’s infamy. Gift of David L. Hack and Museum purchase, with funds from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., by exchange 98.32.109 Exhibition History"Civil War Photographs from the David L. Hack Collection and Civil War Redux: Pinhole Photographs by Willie Anne Wright," Alice R. and Sol B. Frank Photo Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, February 3 - October 29, 2006; Cape Fear Museum, Wilmington, NC, February 15 - May 28, 2007; Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington, WV, July 26 - September 21, 2008. "Shooting Lincoln: Photography and the 16th President," Chrysler Museum of Art, February 10 - July 5, 2015.