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Fisher, Alfred Hugh, 1867 -1945 (artist and photographer)

 Person

Biography

Alfred Hugh Fisher was born in London in 1867 and educated at the City of London School and University College. After 9 years in a city office he relinquished business for art and studied at Lambeth, South Kensington and Paris under Laurens and Constant.

On 29th July 1907 he was chosen by the Visual Instruction Committee to illustrate lecture materials about the Empire for use in British schools. His appointment was for up to three years from 1st September at a salary of £25 a month, plus traveling and subsistence allowance. The Committee reserved to themselves absolute control over the work produced by him during his engagement. It was thought that the scheme would need some 1800 slides, elected from an average of 3 original each. Priority was to be given to Canada, India and South Africa, with Australia and New Zealand, the West Indies, East and West Africa, the Mediterranean and ocean routes as further areas. Fisher would work under the direction of Sir Halford Mackinder, who was to be paid a salary of £300 for his general oversight of the project, in addition to fees for preparing lectures. As Fisher was an artist and not a photographer, he was trained in photographic techniques by the two senior employees of Emery Walker of Sussex House, at a fee of 5 guineas for 10 lessons.

The original aim was to send Fisher to Ceylon and India, then through East Asia to Canada, returning to the United Kingdom in May 1908, with a subsequent journey on the reverse route returning via the Mediterranean; this would enable him to photograph India and Canada at different seasons. However, it was later decided to cover the whole of India in one visit, and Canada the following year. Mackinder issued detailed instructions to Fisher in October. His itinerary included several stops of two or three days in one place since it was thought that he would be able to absorb the atmosphere better than at too rapid a movement from place to place, and he was given authority to purchase photographs for important areas he could not visit. He was to have the educational rather than the pictorial aspect in mind and was to present both the 'native characteristics of the country' and the 'super-added characteristics due to British rule'. He was advised to give a feeling of movement where possible by having people engaged in some activity in the foreground rather than static views of buildings etc. The negatives were to be sent to Newman and Guardia, who would develop them and prepare one print each; the list of photographs taken and the paintings were to be sent direct to Mackinder.

Fisher's journey to Ceylon, India and Burma was originally intended to include Somaliland, Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar, but he was instructed to omit the last two in order to arrive back in London in time for a projected showing of slides in the presence of the Princess of Wales. This did not in fact take place. Fisher resumed his travels on 24 July 1908 and went to Canada, in which he followed a rather complicated route before sailing from Vancouver on 28 October to visit Wei-hai-wei, Hong Kong, part of the Chinese mainland, Singapore and North Borneo. March 1909 found him back in Canada where he saw something of the end of the winter.

During the summer of 1909 the Princess of Wales attended a meeting on the project at Caxton Hall. £150 was spent on renewing and improving Fisher's equipment and he spent six weeks in the U.K. trying out the apparatus and taking photographs of British scenes for use in lectures for Canada and South Africa. At this time too he married Lillias Wyman.

His final tour was via Gibraltar and Malta to New Zealand, the Pacific and Australia, but money was running out; he was instructed to omit Papua and in 1910 he was informed that no more money was available for expenses and he could not be offered a further engagement. Fisher produced vivid and interesting descriptions of his journeys. His later writings appear to have been chiefly poetry. Lillias Fisher died in 1930 and Hugh Fisher died 2 July 1945.

Sources:

Typescript copy of 'Index to Photographers'.

Found in 36 Collections and/or Records:

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 File

Volume XVII : Wei Hai Wei, November 1908, 1908-11

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 17
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 4000-4145 (originally there were 142). Added numbers are: 4129A-D; not used: 4067-4069, 4072, 4078, 4084, 4110 and 4129; missing: 4090, 4096 and 4138. Subjects covered in the album are: 'Empress of China' at Woosung; Shanghai. Wei Hai Wei [now known as Weihai]: approach from the sea, view from Government House: Chinese guard; market and street scenes; Nan-Chu-Tao; Chang Fang; Fenglin; Linkungtau Island: distillery and...
Dates: 1908-11
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XVIII : Singapore and Borneo, December 1908-January 1909, 1908-12 - 1909-01

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 18
Scope and Contents The envelope contains photographs numbered in the range 4152-4310 (originally there were 150 in the album). Added numbers are: 4201A and 4284A; spoiled: 4190; not used: 4162, 4179, 4180, 4187, 4191, 4223-4225, 4239, 4281, 4304; missing 4156, 4160, 4166, 4197, 4198, 4245, 4247, 4252, 4257, 4288, 4294; discarded (because of water damage): 4151, 4173, 4182, 4184, 4189, 4194-4196, 4201A, 4202-4203, 4206-4208, 4211-4212, 4216-4217, 4219, 4221, 4226-4228, 4332, 4334-4336, 4241-4242, 4226, 4268,...
Dates: 1908-12 - 1909-01
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XX : China and Hong Kong, January-February 1909, 1909-01 - 1909-02

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 20
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 4477-4567 (originally there were 85). Added numbers are: 4541A and 4542A; not used: 4484, 4492, 4503, 4508, 4513, 4515, 4549 and 4550; missing: 4483, 4488, 4490, 4498, 4518, 4522, 4523, 4529, 4535, 4536 and 4542. The photographs are not arranged totally in numerical order within the album so that 4541A and 4542A follow 4520. Subjects covered in the album are: China: Canton; Hong Kong: general and harbour, Kowloon,...
Dates: 1909-01 - 1909-02
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXI : Great Britain, 1909, 1909

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 21
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 5002-5184 (originally there were 174). Added number is: 5157A; not used: 5039, 5059, 5076, 5077, 5080, 5092, 5112, 5140, 5146, 5176, 5179; missing: 5088. The photographs are not arranged totally in numerical order within the album so that 5079 follows 5091. Subjects covered in the album are: England: London; Portsmouth: naval scenes, ship building, dockyard, H.M.S. Victory, Dickens' birthplace; Isle of Wight; Salisbury....
Dates: 1909
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXII : Great Britain, 1909, 1909

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 22
Scope and Contents

The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 5351-5487. Numbers not used are: 5367, 5386, 5394, 5410-5443, 5445, 5456-5460 and 5476.

Subjects covered in the album are:
England: Manchester: docks landing Canadian cattle, grain elevators; Warwick; Kenilworth Castle; Tring: farming scenes; Aldershot: barrack buildings, soldiers drilling; Farnborough: balloon shed. Scotland: Edinburgh.


Dates: 1909
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXIII : Gibraltar and Malta, October-November 1909, 1909-10 - 1909-11

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 23
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 6001-6177 (originally there were 169). Added number is: 6111A; not used: 6023, 6026, 6055, 6056, 6058, 6063, 6079, 6098 and 6155; missing: 6002, 6033, 6046, 6095, 6096 and 6154. Subjects covered in the album are: Gibraltar: from the sea; buildings and general; Alameda Gardens and Parade Ground; Catalan Bay; 2nd Battalion Bedfordshires on Parade; Rock apes; Europa; Rock galleries; schools.Malta: harbour scenes;...
Dates: 1909-10 - 1909-11
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXIV : Maltese Islands, Victoria, Tasmania, November 1909, 1909-11

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 24
Scope and Contents This album now contains photographs numbered in the ranges 6178-6238A and 6501-6612 (originally there were 167). Added numbers are 6238A, 6515A and 6547A; spoiled: 6198; not used: 6210, 6212, 6217, 6228, 6232, 6502, 6604 and 6611; missing: 6184, 6197, 6199, 6205, 6209, 6211, 6220, 6230, 6233, 6235, 6501, 6513-6516, 6520-6521, 6527-6529, 6538, 6540, 6545, 6552-6554, 6556-65563, 6565, 6582, 6600-6602, 6605-6606 and 6608.Subjects covered in this album are: Malta: views from sea -...
Dates: 1909-11
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXIX : Fiji and New South Wales, 1910, 1910

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 29
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 7455-7491; 7334-7344 and 7494-7634. Added numbers are: 7519A-7528A; spoiled: 7484-7486, 7525, 7562, 7611-7614, 7621 and 7626; not used: 7459-7460, 7463, 7526-7528, 7336, 7340, 7543-7544; missing: 7455-7456, 7458, 7462, 7464, 7471, 7473, 7476, 7480, 7489, 7334-7335, 7337-7339, 7341, 7533, 7535-7537, 7540-7541, 7547, 7550, 7560-7561, 7570, 7585, 7608, 7618, 7620, 7624, 7631. The photographs are not arranged totally in numerical order...
Dates: 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXVI : New Zealand, 1910, 1910

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 26
Scope and Contents

The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 6787-7005 (originally there were 173 in the album). Added numbers are: 6933-7005; not used: 6791, 6821, 6834 and 6872; missing 6790, 6792-6794, 6802, 6809, 6812, 6814, 6848-6849, 6936-6937, 6941, 6944, 6947, 6981, 6984, 6989-6890, 6992-6993 and 6995.

Dates: 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXVII : New Zealand, 1910

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 27
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the range 7006-7085 (originally there were 100). Added numbers: 6891-6917; spoiled: 7034, 7035, 7051, 7052, 7066; not used: 7012 and 7074.Subjects covered in the album are:New Zealand: Dunedin; journey to Southern Alps: Burke's Pass, Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook, Tasman Glacier, Hochstetter; Balmoral: sheep shearing; Timaru; Christchurch: Lincoln Agricultural College: Domain Fete and general; Wellington: from sea;...
Dates: 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Volume XXVIII : New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji, 1910, 1910

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Fisher 28
Scope and Contents The album now contains photographs numbered in the following ranges: 6918-6932; 7086-7097 and 7300-7454. Added number is: 7397A; spoiled: 7353-7356, 7368-7387, 7390, 7426, 7437-3742 (some due to shipwreck); not used: 6928-6929, 7301, 7326, 7331-7332, 7391 and 7430; missing: 6923, 6925, 6931-6932, 7300, 7302-7306, 7308-7313, 7322, 7324-7325, 7329-7330, 7333, 7345-7346, 7348, 7377-7379, 7388-7389, 7392, 7397A, 7399-7403, 7406, 7409-7410, 7414, 7416-7419, 7422, 7431, 7433, 7447-7448 and 7452. ...
Dates: 1910
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
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Subject
Asia (continent) 16
Canada (nation) 14
North and Central America (continent) 14
India (nation) 11
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Europe (continent) 8
Australia (nation) 7
Myanmar (nation) 6
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Africa (continent) 5
British Columbia (province) 5
China (nation) 5
Sri Lanka (nation) 5
Fiji (nation) 4
Nova Scotia (province) 4
Ontario (province) 4
United Kingdom (nation) 4
Alberta (province) 3
Hong Kong (administrative region) 3
Malay Archipelago (general region) 3
Malta (nation) 3
Quebec (province) 3
Singapore (nation) 3
Adan (governate) 2
Bengal (region (general)) 2
Borneo (island) 2
British Isles (island group) 2
Cyprus (island) 2
Cyprus (nation) 2
East Malaysia (division (national)) 2
Gibraltar (dependent state) 2
Gibraltar (inhabited place) 2
Great Britain (island) 2
Hong Kong (island) 2
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Malta (island) 2
Manitoba (province) 2
New Brunswick (province) 2
Newfoundland (province) 2
Singapore (inhabited place) 2
Somalia (nation) 2
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Tonga (nation) 2
Uttar Pradesh (state) 2
Yemen (nation) 2
Amritsar Golden Temple (temple) 1
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Belize (nation) 1
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British West Indies (general region) 1
Dehra Dun (inhabited place) 1
Delhi (inhabited place) 1
Delhi (union territory) 1
Delhi metropolitan area (metropolitan area) 1
Dominica (nation) 1
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Rajasthan (state) 1
Saint Kitts (island) 1
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Saint Vincent (island) 1
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (nation) 1
Saskatchewan (province) 1
Shandong (province) 1
South Africa (nation) 1
South Island (island) 1
Tasmania (state) 1
Trinidad and Tobago (nation) 1
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Weihai (inhabited place) 1
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