Alexander Hesler

Biography

Alexander Hesler, born in 1823, pursued the art of photography when the medium was still new, opening a studio in Wisconsin and later in Chicago to capture the likenesses of presidents, explorers, and the everyday citizens who placed their trust in his lens. His portraits helped define the visual memory of the era, especially through his images of Abraham Lincoln and other leaders of the time.

He died in 1895 and was laid to rest at Mound Cemetery, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be admired for its clarity, dignity, and respect for its subjects.