James nasmyth, 1808 - 1890. Inventor of the steam hammer. This is one of a number of calotypes showing james nasmyth, the son of the painter alexander nasmyth and a close friend of d. O. Hill, in a reflective mood. He was an engineer and invented the steam hammer and pile driver, which revolutionised industry and engineering work, from the docks of glasgow to russia and the nile. He took a keen interest in photography as he considered it 'a delightful means of educating the eye for artistic feeling, as well as educating the hands in delicate manipulation'. Date: circa 1844.
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