Toronto in 1868 - Introduction to Octavius Thompson

 

This was originally posted on my Instagram account on July 3rd, 2021.  

You can find me on Instagram @fiennesclinton

Cover of "Toronto In The Camera: A Series of Photographic Views of the Principal Buildings in the City of Toronto"

- Octavius Thompson, 1868 -

Octavius Thompson was a photographer who ran a studio in Toronto from 1864 to 1868. He photographed over 40 of the city’s buildings & then published them in a book. The result was “Toronto in the Camera: A Series of Photographs of the Principal Buildings in the City of Toronto”. The image that I’ve posted here is the cover of the book. Its simplicity disguises the significance of the book, which was published at a time when Toronto was just starting to be captured in photographs.

We don’t see a lot of people in Thompson’s photographs. He wanted to document Toronto’s architecture, not its residents. Also, the long shutter speed required by early cameras & film meant that any people walking by would disappear or be “ghosted” on the exposed film.

Thompson selected a variety of churches, banks, schools & government buildings for his publication. His choice of subject matter tells us what someone who wanted to preserve mid-Victorian Toronto felt it was important to capture. Many of the buildings he photographed are long gone now. A few still remain. If we’re imaginative enough, these pictures might just reveal the shadows of Victorian Toronto, still vaguely visible in our 21st century city.

Each of the photographs in Thompson’s book are accompanied by a brief description on the history, design & function of each building. My next series of posts will explore Thompson’s photographs & share the accompanying text along with my own observations.

Let’s step into the past & walk alongside Octavius Thompson, strolling through the muddy streets & wooden sidewalks of Toronto, as it was nearly 160 years ago.