Notes

recignition.
recignition is a complicated word.
when asked the question, who deserves more recignition, its only natural to apply your
own bias

if you truly see the value in history, you surely think that the historians of the past will never actually get enough recignition.
Those who enable us to understand our culture should be met with an intenese level of gratitude and respect.

Therefore, im sure you will agree that sir benjamin stone is someone who does not get enough attention.
Born in 1838, sir benjamin stone faces the end of the industrial revolution.
I am talking about him today as he is the first mayor of my town, sutton coldfield.
He has an honourable political carear.
However, i want to focus today on his fight against the unknown which eventually
leads him into being a historical photographer.
He dedicates his life into fighting the unknowns of the situtaion that surrounds him.

And what a time to do so !
This is ofcourse a time full of unknowns.
Where is England heading towards?
Where does this thirst for English expansion even end?
Will our empire fall or will it prosper?

Now notice how these questions focus on the English. Not on the people the English exploit.
Not on the jewels the English take. But on the actual English people themselves.

Many historians in this time period had a completely self centred view of history.
But not sir benjamin stone.
His historical documentation is present from Australia, to Norway, to Germany and even Brazil.

In this intatiable thirst for historical photography
we now have 26,000 photos to better understand this time period.
From the entire planet.
Im sure you have heard the phrase that a photo describes a thousand words.

If this is true, and you value the importance of historical documentation, then i would argue that there is no way that sir
benjamin stone gets enough recignition.
His wealth and power as a politican was selflessly
No other historian would have been in the house of commons to take a picture with mark twain in 1907.
No other historian would have had the funding to travel all the way to brazil in 1893 just to capture the 1893 solar eclipse.
therefore no other historian, i would argue, is as underappreciated as sir benjamin stone.

He used his unique position in society to give us a glimpse into the time period.
It is important to point out too that photography was a relatively recent invention at this point.
Not only this, England was technologically and economically much more advanced than most in this time period.

Therefore, given the cirumstances, one politican from sutton coldfield was able to become one of the most important historical
photographers of British history.
Regardless of his recignition, there are few historians who contributed to our understanding of post industrial britian
as sir benjamin stone.

Through his lens, Stone immortalized landscapes, traditions, people, and events, preserving them for generations to come.
Each photograph in his collection is a testament to his acute observation, technical skill, and a deep-seated passion for history. These images serve not only as historical records but as windows into the rich tapestry of British heritage.

However, Sir Benjamin Stone's impact extends far beyond his mastery of the camera. He was a passionate
advocate for the preservation of cultural heritage. As a Member of Parliament, he tirelessly championed causes aimed at safeguarding historical sites,
artifacts, and the rights of artists. His efforts led to the establishment of legislative measures protecting cultural treasures, ensuring their conservation for future generations.

Moreover, Stone's legacy resonates in his understanding that preserving history is not solely about capturing moments frozen in time. It's about storytelling, bridging gaps between generations and cultures, and fostering a deeper appreciation for our shared past. His work underscores the importance of acknowledging history as a vital foundation upon which our present and future stand.

I would even argue that this is a time where photographs are incredibly powerful to look back on and actually understand the context.
As winston churchill says, 'history will be kind to me, because i intend to write it'
Written words and sources are full of bias which historians have spent carears deciphering and debating.
The power of a phograph is in it's objectivity.

If you are someone who values the preservation of history as much as myself, im sure you would agree that this is someone who is
not appreciated as much as he should be in terms of maintaining the understanding of our own identity.