McGill College, Sherbrooke Street, Montreal, QC, about 1859

William Notman was a Canadian photographer born on 8 March 1826 in Paisley, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada in 1856 and settled in Montreal, where he opened a photography studio. Notman quickly became known for his skill in portrait photography and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects. Notman's studio became one of the most successful in Canada and he soon photographed many of the country's most prominent citizens. He also gained a reputation for his landscape photography, which captured the natural beauty of Canada. An innovator in his field, Notman was one of the first photographers to use composite photography, in which several images are combined to create a single image. He also experimented with hand-colouring photographs, which added a new dimension to his work. Notman's photographs were widely exhibited and won numerous awards. He was also appointed official photographer to the Governor General of Canada and was commissioned to photograph Queen Victoria during her visit to Canada in 1860. William Notman died in Montreal on 25 November 1891, leaving a legacy as one of Canada's most important photographers. His work continues to be celebrated for its artistic merit and historical significance.