Better known as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice In Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson was also an amateur photographer. There many facets to Dodgson, he lectured on geometry, algebra and logic at Christ Church College in Oxford, created the forerunner of the Scrabble game.
Born on January 27, 1832, in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, Dodgson demonstrated an early aptitude for mathematics and literature. He attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he later became a lecturer in mathematics. Dodgson’s mathematical work includes contributions to the fields of algebra, logic, and linear algebra, earning him recognition in academic circles.
However, Dodgson is perhaps most celebrated for his imaginative literary creations under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” published in 1865, follows the whimsical journey of a young girl named Alice through a fantastical realm filled with anthropomorphic creatures and nonsensical situations. The novel’s sequel, “Through the Looking-Glass,” was published in 1871 and continued Alice’s adventures in a world where logic and language are turned upside down.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Dodgson was an accomplished amateur photographer. He took up photography in the 1850s and became proficient in the medium, experimenting with various techniques and subjects. Dodgson’s photographic work included portraits of family members, friends, and notable figures of his time, as well as allegorical and narrative scenes.
One of Dodgson’s most famous photographic subjects was Alice Liddell, the inspiration for his fictional character Alice. Dodgson’s portraits of Alice and her sisters, taken during outings and picnics, are among his most renowned photographic works.
While Dodgson’s photography was primarily a hobby, his technical skill and artistic sensibility are evident in his photographs, which often display a sense of whimsy and imagination reminiscent of his literary works.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson passed away on January 14, 1898, in Guildford, Surrey, England. His literary legacy, characterised by creativity, wordplay, and imagination, continues to captivate readers of all ages, while his contributions to mathematics and photography further solidify his place in history as a multifaceted and influential figure.
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