# 3649b FDC - 2002 37c Masters of American Photography: Timothy H. O'Sullivan
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37¢ General Ulysses S. Grant and Officers
by Timothy H. OâSullivan
Masters of American Photography
Quantity:Â 3,000,000
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color:Â Multicolored
Death of Timothy OâSullivan
Timothy H. OâSullivan died from tuberculosis on January 14, 1882. He was a well-known photographer who captured the brutality of the Civil War and the untamed beauty of the Western United States.
Not much is known about OâSullivanâs early life. Heâs believed to have been born in 1840. He may have been born in Ireland and came to New York City two years later, or his parents emigrated to New York before he was born. As a teenager, OâSullivan worked as an apprentice in Mathew Bradyâs Fulton Street gallery. He then moved to the galleryâs Washington, DC, branch where he worked closely with Alexander Gardner.
When the Civil War broke out, Gardner was made an honorary captain and staff photographer of George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac. OâSullivan was listed as a first lieutenant (itâs believed his title was honorary as well) and was the superintendent of Gardnerâs map and field work. As a civilian photographer for the Topographical Engineers, OâSullivanâs official job was to copy maps and plans. But as an avid photographer, he also took photos around the battlefield when he wasnât working. Between November 1861 and April 1862, OâSullivan and Gardner accompanied forces at Fort Walker, Fort Beauregard, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Fort Pulaski.
OâSullivan then followed Major General John Popeâs Northern Virginia Campaign in July 1862. He also had 44 of his photos published in Gardnerâs Photographic Sketch Book of the War. OâSullivan was present at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, where he captured several photographs, including his most famous, âThe Harvest of Death.â  After Gettysburg, OâSullivan went on to capture the Siege of Petersburg, the Battles of Fort Fisher, and Robert E. Leeâs surrender at Appomattox Court House.
After the war, OâSullivan was made the official photographer of the US Geological Exploration of the 40th Parallel. He was a pioneer of geophotography (using photography to realistically capture items of geological significance). OâSullivanâs photos depicted the untamed landscape in a new way that combined science and art â by capturing exact records that were breathtakingly beautiful.
OâSullivan went to Panama with a survey team exploring a canal across the isthmus in 1870. Then from 1871 to 1874, he went to the southwest with George M. Wheelerâs survey, tasked with photographing the area to promote settlement. OâSullivan was one of the first to photograph the southwestâs prehistoric ruins, Navajo weavers, and pueblo villages. Unfortunately, one of the expeditionâs boats capsized and most of his negatives were lost.
OâSullivan returned to Washington, DC, and spent his final years as an official photographer for the US Geological Survey and the Treasury Department. He died of tuberculosis on January 14, 1882, in Staten Island.
Â
Â
37¢ General Ulysses S. Grant and Officers
by Timothy H. OâSullivan
Masters of American Photography
Quantity:Â 3,000,000
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color:Â Multicolored
Death of Timothy OâSullivan
Timothy H. OâSullivan died from tuberculosis on January 14, 1882. He was a well-known photographer who captured the brutality of the Civil War and the untamed beauty of the Western United States.
Not much is known about OâSullivanâs early life. Heâs believed to have been born in 1840. He may have been born in Ireland and came to New York City two years later, or his parents emigrated to New York before he was born. As a teenager, OâSullivan worked as an apprentice in Mathew Bradyâs Fulton Street gallery. He then moved to the galleryâs Washington, DC, branch where he worked closely with Alexander Gardner.
When the Civil War broke out, Gardner was made an honorary captain and staff photographer of George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac. OâSullivan was listed as a first lieutenant (itâs believed his title was honorary as well) and was the superintendent of Gardnerâs map and field work. As a civilian photographer for the Topographical Engineers, OâSullivanâs official job was to copy maps and plans. But as an avid photographer, he also took photos around the battlefield when he wasnât working. Between November 1861 and April 1862, OâSullivan and Gardner accompanied forces at Fort Walker, Fort Beauregard, Beaufort, Hilton Head, and Fort Pulaski.
OâSullivan then followed Major General John Popeâs Northern Virginia Campaign in July 1862. He also had 44 of his photos published in Gardnerâs Photographic Sketch Book of the War. OâSullivan was present at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, where he captured several photographs, including his most famous, âThe Harvest of Death.â  After Gettysburg, OâSullivan went on to capture the Siege of Petersburg, the Battles of Fort Fisher, and Robert E. Leeâs surrender at Appomattox Court House.
After the war, OâSullivan was made the official photographer of the US Geological Exploration of the 40th Parallel. He was a pioneer of geophotography (using photography to realistically capture items of geological significance). OâSullivanâs photos depicted the untamed landscape in a new way that combined science and art â by capturing exact records that were breathtakingly beautiful.
OâSullivan went to Panama with a survey team exploring a canal across the isthmus in 1870. Then from 1871 to 1874, he went to the southwest with George M. Wheelerâs survey, tasked with photographing the area to promote settlement. OâSullivan was one of the first to photograph the southwestâs prehistoric ruins, Navajo weavers, and pueblo villages. Unfortunately, one of the expeditionâs boats capsized and most of his negatives were lost.
OâSullivan returned to Washington, DC, and spent his final years as an official photographer for the US Geological Survey and the Treasury Department. He died of tuberculosis on January 14, 1882, in Staten Island.
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