David Livingstone, 1813 - 1873. Missionary and explorer

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David Livingstone, 1813 - 1873. Missionary and explorer 1850s
  • Scottish Art
This exquisite hand-tinted ambrotype shows David Livingstone, one of the great Christian missionaries of the nineteenth century. His African expeditions and discovery and naming of Victoria Falls made him Britain's national hero. In 1856 Livingstone returned to Britain after crossing Africa from Luanda on the west to near the mouth of the Zambezi on the east. He quickly became known around the country. In 1858 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society and had an audience with the queen. It is most likely that this photograph was taken during the period that Livingstone was in Britain. In March 1858, he embarked on his Zambezi expedition which lasted until 1864.

Glossary Open


An ambrotype is created from a collodion negative. This involves mounting a glass negative on a dark background to make the image appear positive. Due to its fragile nature, the ambrotype is usually found in a protective case, much like a daguerreotype.



  • Acc. No. PGP 78
  • Medium Ambrotype
  • Size
  • Credit Given by Mrs Diana Harryhausen 1992