🕊️ In Loving Memory of Cornelius Jabez Hughes (1819–1884)
On this day, 11 August, we remember Cornelius Jabez Hughes, who passed away in 1884 in Ryde, aged 65. Though laid to rest in Abney Park Cemetery, London, his legacy lives on in Ryde and far beyond.
📸 A Life Captured in Light
Born on 20 July 1819 in Westminster, London, Cornelius was a pioneering photographer, daguerreotypist, and writer. Alongside his companion Gustav William Henry Mullins (1854–1921), he became a royal photographer to Queen Victoria, her family, and many notable figures of the Victorian era.
Their studios were located in:
- The Royal Victoria Arcade, Union Street, Ryde — now home to our museum.
- Regina House, Union Street — the elegant building adorned with statues of the Four Seasons.
🏛️ Legacy Preserved
Cornelius’s work is featured in:
- Osborne House, Isle of Wight
- The National Portrait Gallery, London
- The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles
Our museum proudly showcases:
- Artifacts and photographs from Cornelius and Gustav
- Historical insights into Regina House
- Stories of notable visitors, including Oscar Wilde
- Rumors of Queen Victoria’s first meeting with Sitting Bull at Regina House
🕯️ Visit Us
Come explore the rich history of Ryde and the legacy of Cornelius Jabez Hughes at the Historic Ryde Society Museum, located in the Royal Victoria Arcade.