A little closer to home, in a neighborhood just outside of city limits known as Northern Liberties, a Revolutionary War veteran turned banker and businessman, is tinkering with a new idea for travel. Thomas Leiper (1745-1825†) lays 180 feet of wooden rails on wooden ties that are eight feet apart as a test. Leiper’s experiment is successful and becomes one of the first railways in the nation.

Robert Cornelius is born on Wednesday, March 1, 1809. He has an older sister, Anne Elizabeth Cornelius (1807-1884†). Their parents are Christian Cornelius (1783-1852†) and Sarah Soder Cornelius (1773-1867†).

In Amsterdam, Christian Cornelius managed the official time clock that regulated the time in Holland. He had come to America in 1783. Living in Lancaster Pennsylvania for a short period, he moves to 300 Franklin Square in Philadelphia. In 1827, Christian sets up shop as the Cornelius lighting business at 710 Chestnut Street, manufacturing lard oil lamps and silverware to support his family. He also does a fair amount of work experimenting with electroplating.

Christian's only son, Robert, attends private school and has a special interest in chemistry. Robert begins working for his father in 1831 at the age of 22. His specialty is metal polishing and silver plating. As the business grows, they build the first strictly fire-proof building in Philadelphia and one of the first in the country. Built entirely of brick, it features brick arched ceilings and floors, iron and brick stairways, and cast-iron window frames and sashes. This serves as one of two factories at 821 Cherry Street along with a factory on the 500 block of Columbia Street and a retail store at 1332 Chestnut Street, just across the street from the United States Mint.

In 1833, Robert marries Harriet Comly Cornelius (1815-1884†) and they settle into their home at 1027 Arch Street. From 1834 to 1853, Robert and Harriet have nine children.

~ Robert Comly Cornelius (1834–1905†)
~ Sarah A. C. Cookman (1836–1894†)
~ Charles Edward Cornelius (1839–1888†)
~ William Cornelius (1840 – )

~ Constance Maria Cornelius (1853–1922)

By 1835, Christian Cornelious is looking to expand his lighting business. Along with Robert and his new son-in-law, Isaac F. Baker (1806-1883†), he establishes Cornelius, Baker, and Company.

Over in Europe, advancements are being made in pictures. French-born Louis Daguerre is taking what has been done and experimenting with it. Eventually, he makes a breakthrough. He comes up with a process that is so simple, that images are shared with the public. Since he came up with this new process, he decides to name the product after himself. The images are known as a daguerreotype. By today's standards, this is a multi-step and very complicated process. Louis Daguerre shares his daguerreotype in August of 1839, and it makes its way to America along with step-by-step instructions on how to recreate it. It is printed in the "American Daily Advertiser" dated October 16, 1839. The image shows a streetscape of what appears to be the deserted Boulevard du Temple. However, looking closely, a man is having his shoes shined on the sidewalk. History names it the first photograph of a human.

Joseph Saxton (1799-1873) is working for the United States Mint on the corner of Chestnut Street and Juniper Street, just across the street from Robert’s retail store. Joseph reads the account in the paper and decides to try it himself using a cigar box with a convex lens. Taking his makeshift camera to the second floor of the Mint, he aims it northwest out the window to the buildings lit by the sunlight. After taking the exposure, he carefully follows the instructions in the paper step by step. His coworkers ridicule him as he does, telling him that this is a fool's errand. However, to his joy and the surprise of the disbelieving coworkers, Joseph Saxton creates the first photograph ever taken in the United States in the fall of 1839.

Permanently impressed on the silver plate is the grainy image showing the State Arsenal and Philadelphia Central High School, which stands across Juniper Street to the East. The success encourages him to continue making more photographs. The following day, from the very same window, he takes several photographs of other buildings in the area.

To feed this new addiction of his, Joseph Saxton knows he must find a place where he can buy silver plates. A short walk down Chestnut Street is Cornelius and Company Lamp Manufactures. It is in his good fortune that Robert Cornelius happens to know how to polish silver plates. When Robert finds out what Joseph is doing with all these silver plates, he gets inquisitive. He has inherited his father’s curiosity and is constantly working on improving something or other.

Joseph Saxton explains to Robert, his series of experimental photographs using the daguerreotype method. Intrigued, Robert builds a camera and tries his hand at this newly discovered process. Seeing that Saxton captured the image of buildings, Robert is curious if it will work on people. Robert takes his camera to the yard behind his family’s chandelier store at 710 Chestnut Street. He exposes the camera, then he sits against the wall in front of it. That day, Robert Cornelius becomes the first person to take a photographic self-portrait. In modern terms, Robert Cornelius takes the first selfie in October 1839.

On December 6, 1839, Robert displays his photograph at the Franklin Institute, as well as at a meeting of the American Philosophical Society. He has now proven that it is possible to photograph people. Robert thinks this might make a profitable business. To help him figure everything out, he talks to his friend, who is a chemist at the University of Pennsylvania, Paul Beck Goddard (1811-1866†).

Paul Beck Goddard improves the daguerreotype process, allowing the portraits to be made in seconds, rather than minutes. Ok, here is one of the weirdest coincidences in history. Across the pond, in London, John Frederick Goddard (1795–1866) has made similar improvements in the same process at the same time. The two Goddards are of no relation, do not know each other, nor are they aware that they are both advancing photography in similar ways.

Paul Beck Goddard
(1811-1866†)
Photo by Robert Cornelius, 1839

John Frederick Goddard
(1795–1866)

Paul Beck Goddard will be known for taking one of the most talked about photographs in history among photographers and historians alike. His daguerreotype of three men inside a museum is known as “America's earliest existing attempt to photograph a complex interior scene using natural light with human subjects”. The photograph is taken at The Academy of Natural Science (which is located on the corner of Broad and Sansom Streets at this time). In the company of several displays of animal skeletons are three important men. Physician, natural scientist, writer, and vice president of the Academy, Dr. Samuel G. Morton (1799-1851†), who is notorious for his private collection of over 1,300 human skulls for medical research. Paleontologist, parasitologist and anatomist, Joseph Leidy (1823-1891). Writer, Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849).

Now, back to Robert. In May 1840, Cornelius opens his new business on 8th Street just above Chestnut. This is one of the first daguerreotype studios in the country. To spotlight the customer's face, Robert uses a set of mirrors. When the sun lights up the South facing business, it will reflect off the mirrors, onto the sitter. Purple glass, which is suspended from the ceiling, softens the light as customers face the camera head-on. With the sitting time now down to about a minute, and with the mirror system he set up, Robert can produce bust-length portraits that are evenly lit.

Scully & Osterman Skylight Studio in Rochester, NY has a very similar set up to that of Robert Cornelius. They teach workshops and private tutorials in dozens of 19th century photographic processes in their Skylight Studio and around the world. Please see some of their work on the website at: www.collodion.org

The earliest portraits taken at Cornelious Studio are without props. However, Robert begins to include a table in the portrait, that the sitter can use as an armrest. Top Philadelphia businessmen and scientists become his first clientele. For example, Robert photographs chemist Martin Hans Boyè (1812-1907) several times. In some portraits, he is reading a book, and in others, conducting an experiment. Robert Cornelius has now mastered the craft of daguerreotyping people.

Robert begins teaching several students what he has learned and done with photography. Among his students are Marcus Aurelius Root (1808–1888) and Frederick Gutekunst (1831-1917†). Root goes on to become a famous photographer in his own right. Gutekunst will open his own studio. After taking the world-famous portrait of General Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) with one hand in his pocket and the other one tucked in his coat, Gutekunst earns the name “The Dean Of American Photography”.

Having a background in his family's lamp factory, Robert makes brass frames for his daguerreotypes. The frames include a metal support for the silver plate that was recessed so that the daguerreotype was flat and had a rim to hold the glass above, but not touching the silver plate.

Robert's daguerreotype of wigmaker Augustus Gallet (1800-1857†) is sent to France so that the French can see the quality of Gallet's work. Robert's work as a portrait photographer earns a reputation in Europe. In 1843, a book is published in England called "A Treatise in Photography". In the preface, John Egerton (1829-1888) writes that he "…remember(s) seeing, about two years ago, the most beautiful specimens of the Daguerreotype then in existence, produced by Mr. Cornelius in Philadelphia…"

Robert’s career in photography is short-lived. In 1843, he closes his portrait studio to focus full time on his lamp fixture business. After all, they are the premiere manufacture of providing lamp fixtures to consumers as well as businesses. This is where he not only makes a better income but also makes a name for himself in this industry.

Cornelius, Baker, and Company are making high-quality light fixtures. In 1853, the company begins using a new method for producing decorations for chandeliers made of zinc. In this new process, only the outer layer of the mold is allowed to harden. The inner layer of molten metal is left to slush around inside before being poured out. With the outer layer solidified, this leaves a hollow shape that can be used to mass-produce products. This process is known as Slush Casting. Cornelius and Baker are the first to use this process and it becomes a major innovation of the industry. In addition to lighting fixtures and bronze ornaments, zinc statuettes and sculptures became part of their main staples offered to clients.

"Old Mortality and Sir Walter Scott" (1836)
By James Thom

This sculptural group was created and gifted to Laurel Hill Cemetery. It greets visitors as they enter the cemetery. Becoming very popular, it became common to see decorative pieces in homes modeled after it. Here we have a candlestick holder and an inkwell that were both made by Cornelius, Baker, and Company. They are now in the archives at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Robert now feels a strong calling to spend more time in the country. While seeking a nice place to settle in the country, land agents try to impress him by dropping names of the familiar successful businessmen who bought land in the area they are showing him. Robert makes it very clear that those are the same people he deals with daily. He is looking for land that is far from those he conducts business with. Robert finds the perfect place out on old Bristol Pike. In 1851, he purchases an eighty-acre farm that he names Lawndale. Right after the purchase is made, Robert begins creating his own haven.

In the center of the property is a small house. Robert builds three wings onto the house with the dream of having his children and grandchildren stay with him on summer vacations. With the woods within his border supplying the only trees, he plans out his circular driveway, gravel paths, and planting many rare specimens of trees throughout the property as well as pear and apple orchards. Robert builds greenhouses for growing flowers and a hothouse for growing grapes.

Photo courtesy of the
Historical Society of Frankford

Once back in at The City house at 1027 Arch Street, traditions begin at the Cornelius house. Every Sunday night, the family gathers on the porch to sing familiar hymns. They also gather in the back parlor with the door wide open while family prayers are said. Anyone coming to call on the family is expected to join in the family prayers. Tuesday nights are for family dinners. Each week, the entire family, including the grandchildren who are old enough to behave, will sit for an evening dinner.

Just above the second story of the stable of his home in the city, Robert raises several canary birds for his good friend, noted magician Signor Blitz (1810-1877). Some of Signor’s magic rubs off on Robert. It seems that Robert has become quite proficient in sleight-of-hand tricks as well as ventriloquism. He often amuses the neighborhood children giving them the illusion that he is eating caterpillars or small toads, then extracting them from his mouth unharmed. Their parents, on the other hand, are not amused that their children are subjected to such a vial trick. I would guess that these children are trying to recreate what they think they see without successful results.

Signor Blitz
(1810-1877)

Robert seldom profits from the large quantity of fruit raised at Lawndale. He feels that his fruit is of a much higher quality than the fruit sold at the market. If he were to sell it, it deserves a higher price. Rather than sell it at reduced prices, Robert would rather not sell it at all. Instead, he gives most of it away to family and friends.

In 1855, Robert and his brother-in-law Isaac F. Baker (1806-1883†) form Cornelius & Baker. Their company employs more than 500 men between their two large factories and a showroom on Chestnut Street.

Robert begins working on improving the mechanisms that his company manufactures. Building on the British design for lamps, he revises it and invents the “solar lamp” in 1843. Once gaining the U.S. patent, the solar lamp becomes very popular in the U.S. and Europe. He perfects numerous systems for generating frictional electricity generated by hand. Using this new system will allow one to ignite gas coming from the burner, without the use of matches. Based on this new system, Robert crafts some that are attached to gas fixtures by a bell-shaped piece. When lifting this piece, it will generate a spark that travels to the burner, infighting the gas. Based on the success, Robert creates a smaller, portable version that could be carried by hand and moved from burner to burner. This system is soon out of use with the increasing use of the lave-tipped burner.

Oil is struck in Pittsburgh Pa and in 1859, the first commercial oil well is drilled, causing a lot of excitement. Traveling by rail and over an old canal, Robert pays a visit to the oil field, prompting him to invest quite a bit of money into the company.

Once back in Philadelphia, Robert does not see the need for Cornelius & Baker to create the manufacturing of lamps using this fuel, feeling this oil excitement will be a temporary one. When developments improve, proving that there is enough oil being produced, the oil was turned into kerosene for lighting lamps. Robert changes his mind. Cornelius & Baker begins to manufacture the first kerosene lamp. Then he turns to manufacturing various types of kerosene lamps in large quantities. As time sees the technology shift from kerosene fuel to gas, Robert develops and patents improvements to gas-burning lamps used in households.

In 1864, a former student of Robert’s, Marcus Aurelius Root, writes and publishes his book "The Camera and the Pencil". The book is a very detailed history of photography. Marcus speaks highly of Robert being the first Philadelphian to produce portrait photography. Robert’s legacy in photography is not widely known yet and he did nothing to brag about his achievements. When the time comes for our country to celebrate our centennial, Mr. Root is placed in charge of setting up the photography exhibit, which includes his book. It is here that another photographer, Julius F. Sachses (1842-1919†), takes a great interest in the first self-portrait ever taken. Since Cornelius, Baker & Company are providing all the lighting for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, Julius decides to interview Robert about his great photographic achievement. During the interview, Robert explains:

"Mr. Saxton, who was then connected with the United States Mint, had the opportunity of receiving an early notice of the manner in which Daguerre was operating. He soon produced a picture from the second story of the Mint—a view of chimneys and tops of houses. He was anxious to continue the experiment and called upon me, and showed his experiment, explained to me the manner of doing it, and desired me to prepare some plated metal to experiment with. With pleasure I complied with his request. It was our business to make a great variety of articles of plated metal. Very soon afterwards, I made in the factory a tin box, and bought from McAllister, 48 Chestnut Street, a lens about two inches in diameter, such as was used for opera purposes. With these instruments I made the first likeness of myself and another one of some of my children, in the open yard of my dwelling, sunlight bright upon us, and I am fully of the impression that I was the first to obtain a likeness of the human face."

Further detailing his photo, he explains:

"You will notice the figure is not in the center of the plate. The reason for it is, I was alone, and ran in front of the camera after preparing it for the picture and could not know until the picture was taken that I was not in the center. It required some minutes with iodine to produce the effect."

The McAllister that Robert references is John McAlister Jr. (1786-1877), proprietor of McAlister & Co. John McAllister Sr. (1753-1830), opened the nation's first optical shop located at 48 Chestnut Street, just west of 2nd Street.

By 1877, Robert has had a very successful career in the lamp industry. He retires to his fruit farm in the Frankford section of Philadelphia and turns the business over to his sons. Robert enjoys his time at Lawndale, watching his family enjoy the estate he built up for them. By 1883, he has quite a lot to be proud of. He and Harriet celebrate their golden wedding anniversary with a family dinner at Lawndale. Thirty-one family members attend the dinner. Throughout the years, there has not been a single death in the Cornelius families. Not the children, not the sons or daughters, not a single son-in-law or daughter-in-law, not one grandchild. This is a remarkable accomplishment for this day and age.

Robert Cornelius 1876
Photo by Frederick Gutekunst

In 1893, Julius F. Sachses publishes his book “Philadelphia's Share in the Development of Photography” making it widely known now, that it was Robert Cornelius who took the first self-portrait.

Julius F. Sachses
(1842-1919)

As the years go on, Robert's kids grow up, leading lives of their own, and begin to disperse. Robert C. becomes the General Manager of the Yale & Towne Works in Stamford, Connecticut. He briefly moves back to Philadelphia and becomes the President of the Southwark Foundry and Manufacturing Company before moving to Pittsburgh. Of all of Robert’s children, Robert C. is the only one to leave the Philadelphia area.

Robert Cornelius is 85 when he dies on Thursday, August 10, 1893, at Lawndale. The "Philadelphia Inquirer" reports his death in a three-paragraph obituary that talks about his long career in the gas fixture trade. There is not a single mention of the important role he played in the development of photography nor his historic role as the first person to capture a self-portrait.

After his death, Lawndale is sold. The buildings that Robert built no longer stand. Eventually, the city of Philadelphia buy the land. They first called it Cornelius Park but have since changed the name to Wissinoming Park. On the north side of the park, Comly Street is named for Robert’s wife, Harriette Comly Cornelius.

Some works by Cornelius, Baker, and Company have been placed in The Brooklyne Museum as well as the Smithsonian Institution. Today, their fixtures can be found in places like the Vermont State House, the Maybrook Mansion in Wynnewood, Pa, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the U.S. Capitol Senate Extension, and even the White House.

Robert is buried on Monday, August 14, 1892, in his final resting place at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Section J, Lot 63. He is counted as one of the most popular of the residents. Visitors can't help themselves and often take a selfie with his headstone which has a ceramic replica of his famous self-portrait firmly attached. The next time you are in Laurel Hill Cemetery, be sure to stop by and take your very own selfie with the man who started it all.