Yesterday, we explored images of Isaac Newton, the second Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge. Today, we shift our attention to a nineteenth-century holder of the same prestigious position, Charles Babbage (1791–1871).
Although Babbage came from an affluent family, no childhood portraits are known to be in existence. The earliest known images are from 1833, when Babbage was forty-two and serving as Lucasian Professor. An engraving by John Linnell (1792–1863), a well-regarded English painter and engraver, captures him from this time.
Another stippled engraving from 1833 by the lesser-known Richard Roffe portrays Babbage. Additionally, there is an early painted portrait, with an uncertain date and artist, housed in the National Trust collection.
In the National Portrait Gallery, one can find a painted portrait from 1876 by Samuel Lawrence (1812–1884), who depicted notable Victorian personalities, including Babbage’s associate, polymath William Whewell.
A lithographic portrait from 1841 by D. Castellini, after Carlo Ernesto Liverati (1805–1844), is part of the Wellcome Collection, although there is scant information available about these artists.
As a figure deeply involved in technology, Babbage possesses several photographic portraits. A significant daguerreotype, circa 1850, was taken by Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797–1867), a photographer who collaborated with Babbage on photographic projects. Claudet also captured Ada Lovelace, marking one of the very few surviving images of her.
There are multiple photographic portraits of Babbage, including a seated half-length photograph by J.M. Mackie, highlighting his affiliation with the Statistical Society around 1864. Another undated image shows an older Babbage.
An obituary portrait of Babbage appeared in The Illustrated London News, based on a photograph taken at the Fourth International Statistical Congress in 1860.
These images have been extensively referenced in conversations about Babbage, reflecting his lasting impact and legacy.