The man above is Robert Cornelius, one of the earliest pioneers in the field of photography. His contributions helped usher in the age of photography, and this particular photograph of him from 1839 is an important bit of history: it is thought to be the first photographic portrait of a human ever made.
Born to a Dutch immigrant, Robert Cornelius attended private school as a youth, and studied chemistry. In 1831, he began working for his father specializing in silver plating and metal polishing. It was this meeting that sparked Cornelius’ interest in photography.
With his own knowledge of chemistry and metallurgy, as well as the help of chemist called Paul Beck Goddard, Cornelius attempted to perfect the daguerreotype. Around October 1839, Cornelius took a portrait of himself outside of the family store.
Even if this isn’t the first ever (self)portrait its still an amazing image.
Funny to see how he doesn’t make a duckface 😀