John P. Soule
Encyclopedia
John P. Soule was a photographer and publisher in Boston
, Massachusetts
, and Seattle, Washington.
on October 16, 1828. His brother, William S. Soule, also became a photographer.
He maintained photographic studios on Washington Street
in Boston, ca.1861-1882. As a photographer, his subjects in Boston included buildings, the 1869 National Peace Jubilee
, the great fire of 1872
, and carte-de-visite
portraits. He also photographed mountains in New Hampshire, and the 1866 fire in Portland, Maine. He exhibited works in the Charitable Mechanic
's exhibitions of 1850,, and 1874 (bronze medal).
In addition to taking photographs, Soule published works by Martin M. Hazeltine and others. Crediting of photographer's original works followed rather murky standards. For instance, photographs "by John P. Soule" of natural scenery in California appeared in Samuel Kneeland
's Wonders of Yosemite Valley, and of California (1871). However, "the photographs ... credited to John P. Soule on the title page ... have recently been re-attributed to the photographer Martin Mason Hazeltine. Soule, a publisher of stereoviews, purchased many of Hazeltine's California negatives, copyrighted them in 1870, and began selling them in Boston."
Soule joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
in 1865, and belonged to the Freemasons
.
After leaving Boston around 1882, he travelled west again. "In 1888, John Soule moved to Seattle, where he continued to work as a photographer. Soule photographed the aftermath of Seattle Fire of 1889 and the rebuilding thereafter. He continued to live in Seattle and occasionally take photographs of the growing city until his death in 1904."
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and Seattle, Washington.
Biography
Soule was born in Phillips, MainePhillips, Maine
Phillips is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 990 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad, a heritage railroad.-History:...
on October 16, 1828. His brother, William S. Soule, also became a photographer.
He maintained photographic studios on Washington Street
Washington Street (Boston)
Washington Street is a street originating in downtown Boston, Massachusetts that extends southwestward to the Massachusetts-Rhode Island state line. The majority of it was built as the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike in the early nineteenth century...
in Boston, ca.1861-1882. As a photographer, his subjects in Boston included buildings, the 1869 National Peace Jubilee
National Peace Jubilee
The National Peace Jubilee was a celebration, organized by Patrick Gilmore in Boston on June 15, 1869. It featured an orchestra and a chorus, as well as numerous soloists. In total, more than 11,000 performers participated, including the famous violinist Ole Bull as the orchestra's concertmaster,...
, the great fire of 1872
Great Boston Fire of 1872
The Great Boston Fire of 1872 was Boston's largest urban fire, and still ranks as one of the most costly fire-related property losses in American history. The conflagration began at 7:20 p.m. on November 9, 1872, in the basement of a commercial warehouse at 83—87 Summer Street in Boston,...
, and carte-de-visite
Carte de visite
The carte de visite was a type of small photograph which was patented in Paris, France by photographer André Adolphe Eugène Disdéri in 1854, although first used by Louis Dodero...
portraits. He also photographed mountains in New Hampshire, and the 1866 fire in Portland, Maine. He exhibited works in the Charitable Mechanic
Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association
The Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association of Boston, Massachusetts, was "formed for the sole purposes of promoting the mechanic arts and extending the practice of benevolence." Founding members included Paul Revere, Benjamin Russell, and others...
's exhibitions of 1850,, and 1874 (bronze medal).
In addition to taking photographs, Soule published works by Martin M. Hazeltine and others. Crediting of photographer's original works followed rather murky standards. For instance, photographs "by John P. Soule" of natural scenery in California appeared in Samuel Kneeland
Samuel Kneeland (naturalist)
Samuel Kneeland was a naturalist of the United States.-Biography:He graduated from Harvard in 1840, and got a medical degree there in 1843...
's Wonders of Yosemite Valley, and of California (1871). However, "the photographs ... credited to John P. Soule on the title page ... have recently been re-attributed to the photographer Martin Mason Hazeltine. Soule, a publisher of stereoviews, purchased many of Hazeltine's California negatives, copyrighted them in 1870, and began selling them in Boston."
Soule joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts is the oldest chartered military organization in North America and the third oldest chartered military organization in the world...
in 1865, and belonged to the Freemasons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
.
After leaving Boston around 1882, he travelled west again. "In 1888, John Soule moved to Seattle, where he continued to work as a photographer. Soule photographed the aftermath of Seattle Fire of 1889 and the rebuilding thereafter. He continued to live in Seattle and occasionally take photographs of the growing city until his death in 1904."
External links
- Boston Athenaeum, works by Soule
- University of Washington, works by Soule
- WorldCat
- Tip-Top House, ca.1870, by Soule. Yale University Library.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/78428166@N00/2202602121/ Carte-de-visite by Soule, of an unidentified man
- familystacks.com, Details of John P. Soule family.