One of American's great spirit photographers and also a considerable fraud. At the time of national grieving for the terrible losses of the American Civil War he took photographs of people with departed relatives. The most famous of these is his portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln sitting with the departed President standing behind her with his hand affectionately resting on her shoulder. In April 1869 he was tried for fraud and P.T. Barnum testified against him and had the noted New York photographer Abraham Bogardus created a fake to show how it could be done.
William H. Mumler
Portraits
If you have a portrait of this photographer or know of the whereabouts of one we would be most grateful.
alan@luminous-lint.com
Genealogy of William H. Mumler
If you are related to this photographer and interested in tracking down your extended family we can place a note here for you to help. It is free and you would be amazed who gets in touch.
