James Valentine - Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

James Valentine was a Scottish photographer born in Dundee, Scotland, on 12 June 1815. He was the son of a linen manufacturer and began his career as an apprentice to a local engraver. In 1839 he set up his own engraving and printing business in Dundee. Valentine's interest in photography began in the early 1850s when he became interested in the calotype process. He established a photographic studio in Dundee in 1851 and quickly gained a reputation for his high quality portraits. He also began to produce photographic views of Scotland, which he sold as prints. In 1854 Valentine began to publish his photographic views of Scotland as postcards, which became very popular with tourists. He also published a series of guidebooks to Scotland which included his photographs. Valentine's postcards and guidebooks helped to promote tourism in Scotland and played an important role in the development of the Scottish tourist industry. Valentine continued to expand his business, opening branches in Edinburgh and London. In 1867 he was appointed Queen Victoria's photographer and received a Royal Warrant. He continued to produce photographic views of Scotland and other parts of Britain until his death on 19 November 1879. Today James Valentine is remembered as one of Scotland's most important photographers and a pioneer of the postcard industry. His photographs of Scotland remain popular with tourists and collectors around the world.