Ernest Walter Histed was born in Brighton, UK, but made his reputation as a photographer in Chicago and later in Pittsburgh. He returned to England to set up a studio first in New Bond Street and then in Baker Street. In 1898 he made portraits of H. Rider Haggard, Clara Butt and the Empress of Germany, the last by command of Queen Victoria at Windsor castle. He also photographed Royal Academicians, leading actors for The Candid Friend and Pope Pius X. The firm continued as Histed and Company when he returned to New York to operate a studio on Fifth Avenue. Having moved to Palm Beach, Florida, he continued to work until 1934. The largest collection of his work is held by the Museum of the City of New York; the National Portrait Gallery, London, has thirty of his portraits.
