Search the Collection

Photographs by Cavendish Morton, 1900s-1920s


103 Portraits in set

The artist and photographer Cavendish Morton enjoyed several careers. Born in New York in 1874 to British parents, he followed his father's wishes, starting his career as an electrical engineer before he turned to work in an architect's office. He made his first appearance on stage at the age of 16. His illustrations appeared in American magazines before he came to London to act and work with the companies of, successively, Charles Wyndham, Herbert Beerbohm Tree and Johnston Forbes Robertson. His first photographs were of an actor appearing in Lillie Langtry's production of The Degenerates. In the early 1900s his work appeared at the Photographic Salon and art photography publications. He experimented with autochromes and gum prints but principally worked with platinotype prints and included amongst his subjects Lady Ottoline Morrell and Sir Harry Lauder. The National Portrait Gallery was given an extensive archive of his work in 1991 by his son, the watercolour artist, who also bears his father's name.

ListThumbnail