John Thomson
(Edinburgh, Scotland, 1837 - 1921, London, England)
"Hookey Alf," of Whitechapel
c. 1876-1877
Woodburytype print
4 3/8 x 3 3/8 in. (11.2 x 8.6 cm)
Collection of the Akron Art Museum
Purchased with funds from the Mr. and Mrs. E.C. McCormick, Jr., Gift
1988.13
More Information
This image is from Thomson’s book, Street Life in London, done in collaboration with a writer. Often identified as the first social photo-documentary, it contained descriptive case histories accompanied by photographs of their subjects. Its aim was to show that poverty was due to social problems, not divine judgment. Most of Thomson’s illustrations were carefully posed; “Hookey Alf” is one of the few to show spontaneous action.