Faces from the past

Richard Ketchum's book came out in 1970, and those who want a copy in 2002 will have to settle for a used volume. Still, it is worthwhile if you are interested in American history and culture or early American photography. There are only 33 "Faces from the Past" shown and described here, but there is a nice variety, from John Brown the abolitionist to Winslow Homer the artist. Dolley Madison is here, in quite an early photo, and you will also find Stonewall Jackson, Booker T. Washington, Andrew Jackson, and Robert E. Lee. I enjoyed the lesser-known entries even more, such as Ned Buntline, Maria Mitchell, Evelyn Nesbit, Donald McKay, and especially John Livingston, a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He is considered to be the earliest-born American of whom a photograph exists. Mathew Brady took his photo in 1844. The man was born in 1755. His brother was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John fought in the Battle of Princeton, and probably had earlier seen action at the Battle of Trenton. Since I was born and raised halfway between those neighboring war sites, I found this tidbit quite moving. It is a fine book, and deserves a reprint.