Camille Silvy

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Operating from a large house in Bayswater which he furnished with antiques and artworks, Silvy, a former French diplomat, was reputedly one of the first carte de visite photographers in London. His reputation was such that most of the British aristocracy and anyone of fame sat for him and by 1861 he had produced seven thousand portrait photographs. Studio daybooks recording orders, dates and sitters are held at the National Portrait Gallery. In 1869 Silvy retired and returned to France.