Walter John Burton
Encyclopedia
Walter John Burton was a New Zealand
nineteenth century photographer.
Burton was born in Leicester, England. His father, John Burton, was a prominent photographer and his firm John Burton and Sons was patronised by Queen Victoria and other members of the Royal Family.
Burton emigrated to New Zealand in 1866 and established a photographic studio called the Grand Photographic Saloon and Gallery in Princes Street, Dunedin
. The business proved so successful that he had more work than he could handle so in 1868 he asked his brother Alfred Henry Burton
to emigrate and join him in the venture.
Burton concentrated on studio portraiture while his brother travelled extensively photographing landscapes and local people. Despite their initial success, in 1877 Alfred and Walter's partnership came to an acrimonious end. Walter visited Europe to acquaint himself with new photographic developments while Alfred took over the firm.
On his return to New Zealand in 1878 Burton established another photographic studio - again in Dunedin and again focusing on studio portraiture. This business was not as successful as Burton Brothers
as he often kept his customers waiting, bungled photos so that they had to be re-shot, and frequently lost his temper. He was also a heavy drinker. The business declined and in 1880, aged forty-four, he committed suicide. It is thought that he swallowed a lethal dose of potassium cyanide
, a chemical used in the photographic process.
Though Burton was a fine portrait photographer but it was his brother Alfred Henry Burton
's work in landscape and ethnographic studies that made the reputation of the Burton Brothers
firm.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
nineteenth century photographer.
Burton was born in Leicester, England. His father, John Burton, was a prominent photographer and his firm John Burton and Sons was patronised by Queen Victoria and other members of the Royal Family.
Burton emigrated to New Zealand in 1866 and established a photographic studio called the Grand Photographic Saloon and Gallery in Princes Street, Dunedin
Princes Street, Dunedin
Princes Street is a major street in Dunedin, the second largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. It runs south-southwest for two kilometres from The Octagon in the city centre to the Oval sports ground, close to the city's Southern Cemetery...
. The business proved so successful that he had more work than he could handle so in 1868 he asked his brother Alfred Henry Burton
Alfred Henry Burton
Alfred Henry Burton is considered one of New Zealand's most important nineteenth century photographers.Burton was born in Leicester, England...
to emigrate and join him in the venture.
Burton concentrated on studio portraiture while his brother travelled extensively photographing landscapes and local people. Despite their initial success, in 1877 Alfred and Walter's partnership came to an acrimonious end. Walter visited Europe to acquaint himself with new photographic developments while Alfred took over the firm.
On his return to New Zealand in 1878 Burton established another photographic studio - again in Dunedin and again focusing on studio portraiture. This business was not as successful as Burton Brothers
Burton Brothers
Burton Brothers was one of New Zealand's most important nineteenth century photographic studios and was based in Dunedin, New Zealand...
as he often kept his customers waiting, bungled photos so that they had to be re-shot, and frequently lost his temper. He was also a heavy drinker. The business declined and in 1880, aged forty-four, he committed suicide. It is thought that he swallowed a lethal dose of potassium cyanide
Potassium cyanide
Potassium cyanide is an inorganic compound with the formula KCN. This colorless crystalline compound, similar in appearance to sugar, is highly soluble in water. Most KCN is used in gold mining, organic synthesis, and electroplating. Smaller applications include jewelry for chemical gilding and...
, a chemical used in the photographic process.
Though Burton was a fine portrait photographer but it was his brother Alfred Henry Burton
Alfred Henry Burton
Alfred Henry Burton is considered one of New Zealand's most important nineteenth century photographers.Burton was born in Leicester, England...
's work in landscape and ethnographic studies that made the reputation of the Burton Brothers
Burton Brothers
Burton Brothers was one of New Zealand's most important nineteenth century photographic studios and was based in Dunedin, New Zealand...
firm.