W J Wright - Photographer

[peakoverload]

The other day I bought a Cabinet Card by a photographer called W J Wright and would like to find a bit more information about him as his studio was on the same road I grew up on.

The photo I have actually has the name of the sitter and the date, 1899 and gives the details of photographer as:

W J Wright, Grosvenor Studio, Church Road, Upper Norwood. It also says that he was a Silver Medalist in 1893 at the National Exhibition.

I did find a report in a local newspaper that suggests he was still in business in 1922 at the same address, but apart from finding his name mentioned in lists of known photographers and dozens of examples of other photos he took, I can't find out much else.

Can anyone recommend where to search?

[maddys52]

Old newspapers are a great resource - this item from    Saturday,  Apr. 22, 1893, Publication: Isle Of Wight Observer

A few others on a quick scan,  mostly just publications which include photographs he has taken.

Possibly nominated for London County Council in 1889 - " HACKNEY ... W Wright, photographer (Ind)"
Sunday,  Jan. 13, 1889, Publication: Lloyd's Illustrated Newspaper

[maddys52]

I assume this is him in 1911 at 36 Harold Rd, Upper Norwood. William James WRIGHT, photographer, (born c1865 at Ryde, Isle of Wight).
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW8G-LVQ

[maddys52]

He is fairly easy to track through the censuses.

Can't find it on familysearch, but in 1871 he is Ryde with family
RG10/1165/119 pg23

1881 - at Ryde
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q274-KY1K

1891 - Devonport Rd, Hammersmith
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:3PG9-T2M

1901 - at Highview Rd
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9XK-1Q8

Looks like his baptism - 29 Nov 1863 at Ryde, Hampshire, parents Rodney and Jane WRIGHT.

Married Mary Catherine MEARS 2 Aug 1886 at Ryde
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4T33-KR6Z

He was a member of the Upper Norwood Lodge of Freemasons, initiation date 15 Jan 1896. (on Ancestry)

[tonepad]

W J Wright on the photoLondon database:

https://www.photolondon.org.uk/#/details?id=8733


Tony

[peakoverload]

Wow that is amazing. Thank you both so much, that is exactly the information I was trying to find. It's especially useful having the full address of the studios as well.

Turns out his photographic studio was just down the road from one house I lived in and his house was around the corner from another house I lived in!