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John Adamson

(1810-1870), Chemist; brother of Robert Adamson

Sitter in 1 portrait
A medical doctor and curator of the St. Andrews Literary and Philosophical Society Museum in Scotland from its formation in 1838 until his death in 1870. He was educated in St Andrews and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh from 1826 to 1829. He returned to St Andrews to practise medicine in 1835. He was awarded an MD from St Andrews in 1843. Adamson learned of the invention of photography from Sir David Brewster, and as an experienced chemist he mastered the calotype process around the spring of 1842. Later, he adopted the new collodion process invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851, and continued to practise portraiture until his death.

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The Adamson Family, by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson - NPG P6(153)

The Adamson Family

by David Octavius Hill, and Robert Adamson
calotype, circa 1844-1845
NPG P6(153)

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