Anna Atkins 1799 - 1871

Anna Atkins was a pioneering English botanist and photographer, best known for her use of cyanotypes, an early photographic process. She is often regarded as the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographs called: Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions Using the cyanotype process, which produces striking blue-toned prints, Anna Atkins created delicate, detailed images of plants by placing specimens directly onto light-sensitive paper and exposing them to sunlight. Holding institutions: The British Library, The New York Public Library, The J. Paul Getty Museum and Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.