Mathew B. Brady was an American photographer, one of the first artists to start taking pictures professionally. He was famous for his scenes of the Civil War. Samuel F. B. Morse, who became the first to practice the daguerreotype technique in the USA, was his main tutor.

During the Civil War, Brady spent over $100,000 to create more than 10 thousand photo plates. He expected the U.S. government to buy his photographs after the end of the war, but it never happened the way he planned. As many men of art, Brady had to lose and suffer. The government refused to buy his work.

This led Brady into complete bankruptcy. He had to sell his business, but died in debt anyway. Nevertheless, the talented photographer left a valuable legacy. Brady photographed 18 of the 19 American Presidents from John Quincy Adams to William McKinley. He didn't have a chance to take a picture of William Henry Harrison, as the 9th president died before Brady started his serious collection.

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