b. 1867; d. 1941
Horace W. Nicholls is another of the early documentary photographers. He was born in Cambridge, and became a full-time freelance photo-journalist. He documented the Boer War (1899- 1901), and also produced pictures showing the harsh life in the gold and diamond mines in Africa, including the degrading examination of workers to ensure that they were not seeking to take away any diamonds after a day's work.
Nicholls was also responsible for a famous series entitled "Women at War", in the first world war, in a remarkably modern style. He is also remembered for his pictures of people at social events such as Henley and Derby and Ascot days, just preceding the first World War. His photographs appeared in the Daily Mirror, Tatler and Illustrated London News.
© Robert Leggat, 1999.