Herbert Rose Barraud’s Stunning Portraits From ‘Men and Women of the Day’ (1888-89)

Herbert Rose Barraud (1845–1896) was a prominent British portrait photographer who had studios in London and Liverpool. He produced cabinet photos of many famous Victorian statesmen, artists, and members of the aristocracy, many of which were published in his two-volume work, Men and Women of the Day (1888-89).

Most of Barraud’s images were woodburytypes, then a newly developed process which lent itself admirably to portraiture, being able to render middle tones accurately. His studios were at 96 Gloucester Place, Portman Square in 1883; at 263 Oxford Street (“A few doors west of ‘The Circus’”) between 1883 and 1891; at 73 Piccadilly from 1893 to 1896; and at 126 Piccadilly in 1897. Another studio was located at 92 Bold Street, Liverpool.

Below is a selection of stunning portraits from Men and Women of the Day (1888-89) by Herbert Rose Barraud.

Ellen Wallis, 1888

Antoinette Sterling, 1888

Ellen Terry, 1888

Helen Mathers, 1888

Lady Randolph Churchill, 1888

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Portrait of 17-Year-Old Rowan Atkinson, Electrical Engineering at Newcastle University, 1972

Long before he became the face of global comedy, this quiet young man was deeply immersed in circuits, formulas, and the world of electrical engineering.

Captured here in 1972, a young Rowan Atkinson was pursuing his undergraduate studies at Newcastle University. Bright-eyed and sharply dressed, no one could’ve guessed that this soft-spoken student would one day become “Mr. Bean” — a character without words who made the whole world laugh.

17-year-old Rowan Atkinson, electrical engineering student at Newcastle University, 1972.

Rowan was in his first year of university here, having just graduated from the public school St. Bees, where he’d had quite the reputation as a highly intelligent student (especially in science and maths), but also an unruly and rebellious troublemaker. One fellow student remembered him as “the one who is always kept behind after lessons and gets his revenge by writing scurrilous verse in Latin about the master who kept him in.” 

But he could also often be found tinkering with equipment on campus, as he had a great passion for fixing things, and he became a valued member of the school choir and even served as choir secretary. Most notably, though, he had a great talent for the stage, and his performances in school plays left a lasting impression on teachers and peers alike, even prompting his headmaster to tell him, “I have never recommended to anyone that they should take up a career in the entertainment industry, but it would seem silly for you, Atkinson, not at least to try.”

But Rowan, who adored all things electrical and mechanical, put aside his gift for performance for awhile. He followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and went to Newcastle University, pursuing his passion for engineering. He recalled that he kept to himself and “worked very hard” there, and he was nearly at the top of his class upon earning his undergraduate degree at only 20 years old.

20-year-old Rowan Atkinson, electrical engineering student, pictured tinkering away in his last year at Newcastle University, 1975.

He would next go on to Oxford to do research, and it was there he would discover that he wanted to seriously embrace and pursue a career in comedy and performance. Lucky for all of us!

The info and quotes are from the Rowan Atkinson biography by Bruce Dessau, and Rowan’s Desert Island Discs episode from 1988. (via rowanatkinsonlibrary)

Life in Atlantic City During the Late 1910s and ’20s Through Fascinating Photos

In the late 1910s and 1920s, Atlantic City was alive with energy, drawing crowds from nearby cities who came seeking sun, entertainment, and escape. The Boardwalk was the city’s centerpiece — lined with candy shops, photo studios, and music pavilions — where people dressed in their finest strolled beside the sea.

Men wore straw boaters and linen suits; women embraced the latest flapper styles and dared to show more skin in modern bathing suits. Families posed for seaside portraits, children rode carousels, and couples danced to jazz on the Steel Pier. It was a moment of freedom and fun, as Americans embraced new fashions, looser social norms, and the simple joy of a summer at the shore.

Take a look at these fascinating photos to see what life was like in Atlantic City during the late 1910s and 1920s.

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40 Amazing Studio Portraits of a Young Tom Hanks in the 1980s

Tom Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both his comedic and dramatic roles, he is one of the most popular and recognizable film stars worldwide, and is regarded as an American cultural icon. His numerous awards include two Academy Awards, seven Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards; he has also been nominated for five BAFTA Awards and a Tony Award.

Hanks started his career in the late 1970s, but the 1980s marked a significant period of growth. He gained attention for his role in the television series Bosom Buddies where he played one half of a pair of men who dress as women to live in an all-female apartment building.

Hanks made a guest appearance on a 1982 episode of Happy Days where he met writers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel who were writing the film Splash (1984), to be directed by former Happy Days star Ron Howard. Ganz and Mandel suggested Howard consider Hanks for the film. At first, Howard considered Hanks for the role of the main character’s wisecracking brother, a role that eventually went to John Candy. Instead, Hanks landed the lead role in Splash, which went on to become a surprise box office hit, grossing more than US$69 million. He had a sizable hit with the sex comedy Bachelor Party, also in 1984. In 1983–84, Hanks made three guest appearances on Family Ties as Elyse Keaton’s alcoholic brother Ned Donnelly.

With Nothing in Common (1986), Hanks began to extend himself from comedic roles to dramatic. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Hanks commented on his experience: “It changed my desires about working in movies. Part of it was the nature of the material, what we were trying to say. But besides that, it focused on people’s relationships. The story was about a guy and his father, unlike, say, The Money Pit, where the story is really about a guy and his house.” In 1987, he had signed an agreement with The Walt Disney Studios where he had starred to a talent pool in an acting/producing pact. After a few more flops and a moderate success with the comedy Dragnet (1987), Hanks’ stature in the film industry rose.

The broad success of the fantasy comedy Big (1988) established Hanks as a major Hollywood talent, both as a box office draw and within the industry as an actor. For his performance in the film, Hanks earned his first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Big was followed later that year by Punchline, in which he and Sally Field co-starred as struggling comedians. Hanks then suffered a run of box-office underperformers: The 'Burbs (1989), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) and The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990). In the last, he portrayed a greedy Wall Street figure who gets enmeshed in a hit-and-run accident. Turner & Hooch (1989) was Hanks’ only financially successful film of the period.

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“We Are the Girls That Kill the Rats” – Girls of the Women’s Land Army Were Employed as Rat Catchers During WWII

Pests such as rats posed a serious threat to supplies of food and animal fodder on British farms. During wartime, there were thought to be over 50 million rats in Britain. To help counter this threat, teams of land girls were trained to work in anti-vermin squads. Two land girls are reputed to have killed 12,000 rats in just one year. Land girls in anti-vermin squads also were also trained to kill foxes, rabbits and moles.

This was just one of many vital and often physically demanding tasks undertaken by the Land girls, who stepped in to fill the agricultural labor gaps left by men serving in the armed forces. Their work ranged from plowing and harvesting to dairy farming and working in the Women’s Timber Corps (“Lumber Jills”).

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Glamorous Photos of Nelly Nyad From the 1950s

Nelly Nyad was a fashion model active in the early 1950s, best known for her striking elegance and collaboration with renowned photographer Milton H. Greene. Though not as widely known today as some of her contemporaries, Nyad became a standout presence in high-fashion editorials during the postwar era, embodying the refined glamour of early 1950s couture.

Nyad was featured in a celebrated series of photographs taken by Greene in 1952 for Life Magazine, with locations ranging from Madrid to Mallorca. In these images, Nyad modeled exquisite gowns and accessories by leading fashion houses such as Jeanne Lanvin, Jeanne Pottier, and Spanish designer Rodriguez, often set against dramatic backdrops like historic architecture and art museums. The series captured both her poise and Greene’s signature visual style — soft lighting, rich textures, and timeless composition.

Take a look at these glamorous photos to see portraits of Nelly Nyad as a model from the 1950s.

Nellie Nyad in black faille cocktail dress with deep décolleté by Paquin,adorned with two ruby and diamond clips from Boucheron, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Nellie Nyad wearing a bright red satin cocktail dress by Jeanne Lanvin, the wrapped skirt is held by diamond flower clip by Mellerio dits Meller, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Nelly Nyad in pink faille and embroidered gray tulle evening sheath by Balenciaga, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Nelly Nyad in white satin evening gown draped diagonally across the hips, bodice features a wing collar, by Jeanne Lanvin, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

"The Embrace" Nelly Nyad, photo by Milton Greene, 1952

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Judy Garland and Her Fifth Husband, Mickey Deans, Arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport on May 21, 1969

On May 21, 1969 Judy Garland, accompanied by her husband Mickey Deans, was at London’s Heathrow airport boarding a plane to the United States. Judy would stay in the States for a little less than a month before returning to her home in England in mid-June. She would die one month and one day after these photographs on June 22nd, 1969 at 47 years old, making them one of the last public photographs of the legendary star.