Mrs Thackeray Ritchie, ca.1867

Mrs. Julia Margaret Cameron (1815 - 1879)

RA Collection: Art

Photogravure printed by H.H.H. Cameron and his partner J.C. Smith from a negative by Julia Margaret Cameron for the publication Alfred, Lord Tennyson And His Friends.

Anne Isabella Thackeray, 1837-1919, was the eldest daughter of William Makepeace Thackeray and the author of a number of novellas and re-interpretations of fairy tales. As a long standing friend of Julia Margaret Cameron, she was also the author of a number of reminiscences in Alfred, Lord Tennyson and His Friends.

After the death of her father in 1863, Anne Isabella Thackeray and her sister went to stay with Mrs Cameron at Dimbola Lodge. In her letters, she refers to Mrs Cameron's kindness.

'This sad year began at Freshwater... it was bitter weather. Minny and I were at Mrs Cameron's cottage. She was goodness in person. Alfred Tennyson used to come and see us in his cloak. Hardinge Cameron would ask us to go for walks and try to interest Minny in painting.'

In her reminiscences she also describes, Mrs Cameron's enthusiam and determination in all things especially with regard to her photography.

'This lady, as I have said, followed up her art with extraordinary trouble and devotion, and also expected much from her sitters. Sitting to her was a serious affair, and not to be lightly entered upon. We came at her summons, we trembled (or we should have trembled had we dared to do so) when the round black eye of the camera was turned upon us, we felt what consequences, what a disastrous waste of time and money and effort, might ensue from any passing quiver of emotion.'