10 Years Ago Today....Mathew Brady Was Born Here. Or Not?

For a very short period of time, this historic marker could be found on Route 28 proclaiming that legendary photographer Mathew B. Brady was born nearby. Shortly after this picture was taken, the sign was stolen. Further research during this time showed that Brady may have been born in Ireland. This led to an investigation and weird civil/criminal settlement, but in 2017 a similar sign was placed here that said "Childhood Home Near This Site".

But Marc, you say, you're a photographer, sure you know this guy. Have you ever looked at a $5 bill? That's a "Brady" of Abraham Lincoln. He photographed 18 of the 19 American presidents from John Quincy Adams to William McKinley. But Brady was famous in his lifetime for his Civil War photographs on the battlefield, and his 1862 exhibit on the Battle of Antietam in New York City brought consciousness of the horrors of the war in photographic form to the North. Many of his photographs were later purchased by the library of Congress, and contribute significantly to our understanding of those events today.

Johnsburg, New York
June 28, 2014