Photojournalism in the Civil War

By tvictoriaeng
  • Mathew Brady is born in Warren County, New York.*

    Mathew Brady is born in Warren County, New York.*

    Mathrew Brady is born in Warren County, New York.
  • The First Photograph is taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.*

    The First Photograph is taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.*

    Joseph Nicéphore Niépce takes the first photograph ever, a view of his courtyard in the summer from a second-story window; he called the process "heliography".
  • Brady moves to New York City.*

    Brady moves to New York City.*

    He studies painting under William Page and Samuel L. Morse.
  • Daguerrotype is introduced to America, popularizing photography.*

    Daguerrotype is introduced to America, popularizing photography.*

    Brady learns the craft from Morse.

  • Brady opens his first studio in New York.*

  • Brady opens a second studio in DC.*

  • The Civil War begins.

    The Civil War begins.

    President Lincoln declares war on the Confederacy. He grants Brady permission to document the war through photographs.
  • The Battle of Antietam is fought.

    The Battle of Antietam is fought.

  • Brady holds the exhibit "The Dead of Antietam" displaying a collection of photographs from the conflict.**

    Brady holds the exhibit "The Dead of Antietam" displaying a collection of photographs from the conflict.**

    Photos of corpses in fields shock citizens and change their perception of warfare.
  • Alexander Gardner leaves Brady's studio**

    Alexander Gardner leaves Brady's studio**

    After having many of his photos credited to Brady, Gardner leaves to start his own studio. He believed the person that took the photo, and not their employee, should be credited as photographer and carried out this practice.
  • The Battle of Gettysburg begins and is fought for three days.

    The Battle of Gettysburg begins and is fought for three days.

  • Confederate troops surrender at Appomattox.

    Confederate troops surrender at Appomattox.

  • Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth.

    Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth.

    He dies the next day.
  • Gardner photographs the execution of the Lincoln conspirators

    Gardner photographs the execution of the Lincoln conspirators

    He is the only photographer allowed at the hanging.

  • Brady receives $25,000 from Congress for his photos.*

    Even with the subsidy, Brady goes bankrupt as it was only a fraction of what he had spent to take the photos. His predicted commercial value for wartime photographs was grossly overestimated. The realistic and gruesome nature of the photographs turned off a people that wanted to forget the tragedy they had suffered.
  • Brady dies in the charity ward of a New York hospital.

    Brady dies in the charity ward of a New York hospital.