The Earliest Born Person Ever Photographed
TLDRThis video delves into the fascinating world of the 18th century, a period marked by the death of Louis XIV's last surviving child, the rise of the Rococo art style, and the dawn of nations yet to be formed. It highlights how the advent of photography in 1839 allowed for the immortalization of individuals born in this era, offering us a rare glimpse into the eyes of those who lived through monumental historical events like the American Revolution. Through stories of remarkable individuals such as Martin Routh, Samuel Sprague, and Conrad Heyer, the video explores the earliest generation of people ever photographed, uncovering their experiences and contributions to history.
Takeaways
- 👨🔬 In the 1740s, the last surviving child of Louis XIV died, leaving France under the rule of his great-grandson, with the French Revolution still decades away.
- 🌍 Asia was experiencing a golden age under the Qing Dynasty, while Japan remained isolated from the world for over a century.
- 🎨 Rococo emerged as the prominent art style in Europe, characterized by elaborate gowns, embroidered waistcoats, and wigs in court fashion.
- 📷 The first generation to ever be photographed was born around this time, allowing us to see into the eyes of 18th-century individuals.
- 📚 Martin Routh, a notable figure from Oxford, lived to 99 and was photographed, linking him directly to the 18th century.
- 🔮 Samuel Sprague, a participant in the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolutionary War, was photographed in his later years.
- 🛡️ Conrad Heyer, possibly the earliest born person ever photographed, was a Continental Army soldier under George Washington.
- 👩 Mary Monroe Sanderson, possibly the earliest born woman photographed, lived through the American Revolutionary War.
- 👨 John Adams, a shoemaker from Massachusetts, might be the earliest born man photographed with a verified date of birth.
- 👨🎓 Caesar, an ex-slave from New York, and potentially one of the longest-lived Americans, was photographed after being emancipated.
Q & A
Who was the last surviving child of Louis XIV, and what was significant about their death in the 1740s?
-The last surviving child of Louis XIV passed away in the 1740s, marking a significant point in French history as the country was then ruled by his great-grandson, and it was a period before the French Revolution, which would eventually sweep away the monarchy.
What was the global context in terms of exploration and colonization during the 1740s?
-During the 1740s, the continent of Australia had not yet been home to a single European, and the British colonies in America had not yet considered the possibility of rebelling, indicating a time before major European colonization and independence movements in these areas.
How was the Rococo style significant in European art during the 18th century?
-The Rococo style, characterized by its elaborate gowns, embroidered waistcoats, and wigs, was the new big thing in European art during the 18th century, reflecting the opulent and ornate tastes of the period.
Who was Martin Routh and what was his connection to the early days of photography?
-Martin Routh was a president of Magdalene College, Oxford, who lived until 99 years old and was photographed in his last year, making him among the earliest generation of people ever to be photographed. He was born in 1755, making him contemporary with Marie Antoinette.
What was the significance of Samuel Sprague's experiences during the American Revolutionary War?
-Samuel Sprague, a Mason from Hingham, Massachusetts, played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War, participating in the Siege of Boston, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and notably, the Boston Tea Party, making him a direct witness to pivotal events in American history.
Who was Conrad Heyer and why is he notable in the context of early photography?
-Conrad Heyer, born in 1749, was a farmer from Waldeboro, Maine, who fought under George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. Notably, he lived to the age of 106 and is often cited as the earliest born person ever to be photographed.
What unique story is associated with Mary Monroe Sanderson during the American Revolutionary War?
-Mary Monroe Sanderson, born in 1748, experienced the aftermath of the Battle of Lexington firsthand when she found her belongings stolen, her cow killed, and a wounded British soldier in her bed, whom she was reluctantly forced to care for, illustrating the personal impacts of the war.
How did John Adams, a shoemaker, become notable in the history of photography?
-John Adams, a shoemaker from Worcester, Massachusetts, born either in 1744 or 1745, is notable in the history of photography as he is considered possibly the earliest born man ever to have his photograph taken, with his age at death being 104.
Who was Caesar, and what makes his photograph significant?
-Caesar was an ex-slave from New York who was possibly not emancipated until 1841, making him the last slave to be freed in the state. Born in 1737, if the dates are accurate, his photograph is significant as he could be one of the longest-lived Americans on record.
What challenges are associated with identifying the earliest born person ever photographed?
-Identifying the earliest born person ever photographed is challenging due to issues with verifying birth dates and the existence of photographs. Some records may be inaccurate or lost, and potential candidates' photographs might be undiscovered or destroyed over time.
Outlines
🌍 The 18th Century World and Dawn of Photography
The paragraph sets the historical context of the mid-18th century, highlighting the death of Louis XIV's last surviving child and the governance of France by his great-grandson. It points to a time when the French Revolution was still in the future, the Qing Dynasty was flourishing in China, and Japan remained isolated. The paragraph also touches on the absence of European settlement in Australia and the improbability of the American colonies' rebellion. It introduces the Rococo style in European art and fashion trends of the time, such as elaborate gowns and wigs. The focus shifts to the birth of individuals who would later become the first generation to be photographed, providing a bridge to the past through images of people born in the 18th century, some of whom witnessed the American Revolution and lived in a world before the formation of states like Germany and Italy.
📸 Early Photography: Capturing the Faces of History
This paragraph explores the lives and legacies of several individuals from the 18th century who were photographed in the 19th century. It discusses Martin Routh, a classical scholar and President of Magdalen College, who lived to be 99 and was photographed in his final year. Samuel Sprague, a participant in the Boston Tea Party and the Revolutionary War, and Conrad Heyer, a Continental Army soldier who lived to 106, are also mentioned. Mary Monroe Sanderson, possibly the earliest born woman photographed, and John Adams, a shoemaker with a confirmed birth date around 1744 or 1745, are highlighted. The paragraph also covers Caesar, an ex-slave whose photograph and age are subjects of speculation, suggesting he might have been one of the longest-lived Americans. The search for the earliest born person photographed includes John Owen, a veteran of both the American Revolutionary and French and Indian Wars, whose exact birth date and identity in photographs remain unconfirmed.
🔍 The Quest for the Earliest Photographed Person
The final paragraph reflects on the challenges of identifying the earliest born person ever photographed. It acknowledges the difficulty in confirming the ages and identities of the potential record holders due to the possibility of lost, destroyed, or yet-to-be-discovered photographs. The paragraph emphasizes the ongoing nature of this historical investigation, suggesting that the real record holder's photo could be overlooked in someone's attic or an old archive, highlighting the elusive quest to connect directly with the distant past through photography.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Photography
💡18th Century
💡American Revolution
💡Longevity
💡Historical Figures
💡Slavery
💡Genealogy
💡Primary Sources
💡Cultural Context
💡Legacy
Highlights
In the 1740s, France was ruled by the great-grandson of Louis XIV, while the French Revolution was still about half a century away.
China was enjoying a golden age under the Qing dynasty, while Japan remained closed off to the outside world.
The earliest generation of people ever to be photographed were born around this time, and some of them lived to be photographed at the end of their lives.
Martin Ruth, born in 1755, was photographed at age 99 and was the same age as Marie Antoinette.
Samuel Sprague, born in 1753, fought in the Continental Army and took part in the Boston Tea Party.
Conrad Heyer, born in 1749, was a farmer who fought in the Revolutionary War under George Washington.
Mary Monroe Sanderson, born in 1748, lived to be 104 and cared for a wounded British soldier during the Revolutionary War.
John Adams, a shoemaker from Massachusetts, is confirmed to have been born in either 1744 or 1745, making him one of the earliest born people to be photographed.
Caesar, an ex-slave from New York, may have been born in 1737, which would make him one of the longest-lived Americans on record.
John Owen, claimed to be born in 1735, served in both the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War, but his birth date may be as late as 1741.
The photo of the real record holder for the earliest born person to be photographed may still be undiscovered or lost to history.
The video explores the stories and lives of some of the earliest people to be photographed, who witnessed major historical events like the American Revolution.
Martin Ruth, who lived to be 99, was a respected classical scholar and is known for his advice to "always verify your references."
Samuel Sprague's account of participating in the Boston Tea Party as a young man disguised with soot.
Conrad Heyer's village in Maine was destroyed by Native American attacks and resettled by German immigrants, including his parents.
Transcripts
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