Alexander Gardner

Alexander Gardner (1821–1882) was a Scottish-American photographer, best known for his work documenting the American Civil War. Born in Scotland, Gardner immigrated to the United States in the early 1850s and initially worked as a photographer in the Washington, D.C., area.

Gardner gained fame as one of the leading photographers of the Civil War, working closely with Mathew Brady, another renowned photographer, to capture the realities of the conflict. He is especially known for his powerful images of battlefield scenes, soldiers, and military leaders. His photographs of the aftermath of battles, such as those from the Battle of Antietam, are some of the most iconic images of the war. Gardner's images often depicted the human cost of war, providing stark, realistic portrayals of death and destruction that shocked many Americans at the time.

In addition to his battlefield photography, Gardner also captured notable portraits of famous figures of the era, including President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate officials. After the war, Gardner continued his work as a photographer, but he faced financial difficulties and eventually moved to California. He continued to take portraits and document the western United States until his death in 1882.

Gardner's contributions to war photography are significant, as his images played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the Civil War and the way future generations would remember it.