The Arts In Berwick -- Visual Arts -- Photography
Early Photographers

It is uncertain who was the first photographer in the Borough. Richer visitors to the once fashionable resort of Spittal were probably the first to have their likeness caught by the Daguerreotype process, which was available after 1839.

The earliest photograph of Berwick is probably a view of the High Street from the Town Hall taken in about 1864 by Robert Totherick, son of a Methodist minister.
Robert Good, brother of Thomas the painter, also took up photography in later life.

But the most distinguished early photographer was William Green (1844-1918). Born in Belford, reputedly related to Queen Victoria, he had a high-class photographic business in Berwick by 1900. All the leading citizens were recorded by Green, and fashionable people from miles around would make their way to his studio. Skilled in the patent Autotype process, he also instructed students from all over the country. Green was a friend of lightbulb inventor Sir Joseph Swan (1828-1914). Organist in most of Berwick's churches at one time or another, Green played the flute and despite being a collector of income tax he was well liked in the town
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