William Towert

William Towert & Son

Studio

William Towert established his photography business in 1865, and was later joined by his son, who become proprietor of the business.  His studio addresses in Edinburgh were:

The Towert studio was described in one 1890 account as follows:

“Established at its present premises, 42 St Patrick Square, twenty-six years ago by William Towert, father of the present proprietor.” 

“An extensive practice, including amongst its patrons the most influential families in the surrounding districts, many athletic clubs, rowing, swimming and water polo groups.”

“It is a large establishment with fine showroom on the front street and sitting room in the rear, both displaying beautiful specimens of the firm’s work.  Beyond the sitting room is the studio, equipped with all descriptions of back scenes - an aspect of studio photography that was becoming more widespread.”    [ST]

Cartes de Visite

Please see Cartes de Visite by Edinburgh Photographers for an example of one of William Towert's cartes de visite.

Comments

1.

D Richard Torrance

Edinburgh

Thank you to D Richard Torrance, who has been compiling lists of Scottish photographers, for providing the family details below. 

1881 Census

William Towert was listed as:

Photographer:  aged 55

Born:  Edinburgh

Resident:  8 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh

Children

Comments

2.

VJ King Sr

Round Corner, New South Wales, Australia

Thank you to VJ King Sr who wrote:

Family History Research

"I have been researching the families of the Edinburgh photographer, William Towert (born about 1826?) and a founder of the Christadelphian movement, Dr John Thomas (1805-1871).

Thomas emigrated to the USA in 1832 and in 1848 returned to the UK embarking upon a two-year lecture tour that incorporated Glasgow (15 Sep – 13 Oct) and, relevantly, Edinburgh (27 Oct – 11 Nov).

It seems likely that William Towert met, if not befriended, Thomas during the latter’s 1848 Edinburgh visit for, within three years, we find both men, and their families, residing in New York where Towert is recorded as photographing Dr Thomas and members of his family. 

The resultant 'American' photographs were advertised in an 1870 UK Christadelphian periodical as available “on application to W Towert, 31, St. Patrick’s Square, Edinburgh.”

William Towert returned to the UK, setting up his photographic studio in Edinburgh in 1865.  Dr John Thomas died in the US in 1871 on the eve of his intended return and resettlement in the UK."

VJ King, Round Corner, New South Wales, Australia:  December 22, 2011

Here is a copy of a William Towert advert that VJ King has sent to me:

Below are some extracts from notes sent to me by VJ King.  These notes raise an interesting question about William Towert's name.

1841 Census

George Forrest

Resident: Auchnieve, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Wife:  Helen Forrest

Children: 

1851 Census

George Forrest

Resident:  Auchnum (sic):  probably Auchnieve, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Wife:  Helen Forrest

Children: 

1861 Census

William Towert:    No entry found for him in UK census 

He would have been living in USA in 1861.

1871 Census

William Towert

Resident:  138 Nicholson (sic) Street, should be Nicolson Street, Edinburgh

Occupation:  Lithographer Arteat (sic):  probably should be Artist

Wife:  Lillian (sic):  should be Lilias

Children

 * should be Lillias M

1881 Census

William Towert

Wife:  (not included in this census)

Resident: 8 Buccleuch Street, Edinburgh

Occupation:  Photographer

Children

Also a border:  Robert Scott Mowatt,

William Towert & Son

It was on Andrew W Towert's attainment of age 21, in 1877, that  '& Son' was added to the company's name.

Reply to VJ King?

VJ King is keen to find photos of Dr John Thomas taken by William Towert, and to discover if there are any descendants of William Towert who may have inherited any of William Towert's photos.

If you think you may be able to help VJ King, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to him.

Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh:  January 11, 2012

Comments

3.

VJ King Sr

Round Corner, New South Wales, Australia

VJ King added:

Date of Birth

"While there does exist a discrepancy in the records as to William Towert's date of birth, I lean towards 1826 as representing the more realistic year – otherwise, if 1836, Towert would be having his firstborn, Agnes, at 16 years of age – possible, but unlikely."

VJ King, Round Corner, New South Wales, Australia:  January 15, 2012

Date of Birth

Despite VJ King's comments above, I would find it surprising for the date of birth of a child to be recorded with a discrepancy of ten years in the 1841 census and for this mistake to be repeated in the following census in 1851.

Peter Stubbs:  Edinburgh:  January 17, 2012

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