Alexander Wilson Photographic Collection
- Reference:GB 615 WC
- Dates of Creation:1st Jan 1870 - 1st Jan 1905
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:5 000 negatives (boxed 20 linear metres); 40 A4 folders of prints
Scope and Content
Black and white photographs, mainly of Dundee streets and buildings, including the old Overgate and Wellgate streets prior to their twentieth-century redevelopments. Buildings represented include Dundee schools, churches, factories, shops, and the Albert Institute (now McManus Galleries and Museum). There are many images of Dundee harbour and ships, particularly whaling vessels (including the Balaena). Some civic or social events are also covered, including funeral processions and gala days.
Wilson also took photography field trips outside of Dundee so there are town and rural scenes from Fife, Angus, Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross, and Ayrshire included.
People tend to appear populating a scene rather than as the main focus of the picture, but Wilson also took portraits of some contemporary citizens.
Administrative / Biographical History
Alexander Wilson was a manager in Baxter Brothers' Baltic Street Calendar Mill. He was a keen photographer in his spare time, and took hundreds of images of Dundee and the surrounding area.
Access Information
Open to the public.
Acquisition Information
The original glass negatives were donated by the photographer to Dundee Free Libraries prior to his death in 1922.
Accruals
The Wilson Collection is not currently accruing material.
Personal Names