Harris, Robert, fl. 1880-1899 (photographer)
Dates
- Existence: fl. 1880 - 1894
Biography
Robert Harris was a commercial photographer active in South Africa. He had a studio at Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth, 1880-1890 (Bensusan 1963, p.236). He exhibited photographs at the Port Elizabeth Exhibition 1885 and the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886. From 1891 to 1894 Harris was in partnership with Thomas McKnaught (Bensusan 1963, p.236). Harris produced a number of photographically illustrated books.
Publications:
Cowan, Charles (1882), 'Southampton to South Africa'. [Contains photographs by Harris]
Harris, R. (c. 1876), 'Photographic views of Port Elizabeth and neighbourhood'.
Harris, R. (188?), 'Photographic album of South African scenery'.
Harris, R. (1888), 'South Africa illustrated'.
Sources:
Bensusan, A.D. (1963), '19th century photographers in South Africa'. 'Africana notes and news'. Volume 15, number 6, pp.219-252.
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Church Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], 1888
191 x 125 mm. A view looking south west along Church Street from its junction with Commercial Road, with St. Peter's Church and the Zulu War memorial in the left foreground.
Crossing a drift, road to the Umzinto, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu/Natal], 1888
192 x 125 mm. Showing an ox-drawn wagon crossing a drift on a small river on the Umzinto road.
Cutting sugar cane, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], 1888
193 x 124 mm. Showing labourers loading harvested cane on to a bullock cart.
Group of coolies, Umzinto [historic title], 1888
190 x 124 mm. A group portrait of South Asian labourers and their families taken at the sugar mining centre of Umzinto.
Howick Falls, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], height 365 feet, 1888
234 x 328 mm. A view looking along the cliff face towards the sheer drop of the falls, situated fifteen miles from Pietermaritzburg on the Umgeni (i.e. Mgeni) river.
Sugar mill and plantation, Umzinto, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], 1888
192 x 124 mm. A view from a neighbouring hillside looking down on the sugar mill buildings, with cultivated land beyond and the manager's bungalow on the hillside in the background.
Town Hall, Durban, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], 1888
190 x 124 mm. A view from the junction of Gardiner and West Streets looking across towards the town hall, a porticoed building surmounted by an over large clock tower. Built in 1885, it was converted into the Post Office in 1910 when the new city hall was completed.
Umbilo Falls near Durban, 1888
192 x 124 mm. Showing the cascades of the Umbilo Falls.
Umkomas [Umkomaas] River, South Coast, Natal [i.e. KwaZulu-Natal], 1888
191 x 125 mm. Showing a wagon crossing a drift on the Umkomaas River, with a hand-operated pontoon ferry moored on the further bank and a settlement of houses beyond. The Umkomaas enters the Indian Ocean south of Durban.
West Street, Durban, 1888
192 x 126 mm. A view looking east along West Street with the tower of the town hall in the distance. The Methodist Church is in the right foreground.