Item SH 932067 Photograph - John Leadbeater, National Museum Taxidermist, Framed, 1858

Summary

Photographic portrait of John Leadbeater who was the National Museum's first taxidermist.

Leadbeater began work at the Museum in 1858 and soon became famous as an expert taxidermist, working with mammals and birds.

Frederick McCoy, who was the Director of the National Museum at the time, was so impressed with the work of Leadbeater that he named two species of newly-discovered birds and a possum after him.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph. Framed portrait shot of a bearded man. Cream coloured backing board and under a sheet of glass. The man is facing slightly left and dressed in a dark suit jacket with a flower in his lapel and handkerchief in his top pocket. His waist coat is a light colour and the background is plain grey. The photo and matte board are framed in a thin, honey coloured wooden frame. The reverse is plain brown paper.