Prince Alfred. Albumen print, Getty Museum. Public domain photograph.

John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901) was an English photographer who played a major role in the development of early photographic processes. Born on 17 September 1813 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, Mayall became famous for his work in the field of photography in the mid-19th century. Mayall initially pursued a career as a portrait painter, but later turned to photography. He became particularly famous for his portrait photography, capturing images of the notable figures of his time. One of his most famous works is a photograph of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, taken in 1854. This photograph helped to establish Mayall's reputation as a leading portrait photographer. In addition to his portrait work, Mayall also contributed to the development of photographic technology. He experimented with various photographic processes, including collodion, which was widely used in the mid-19th century to produce glass plate negatives. Mayall's career spanned several decades and he remained involved in photography until the end of his life. He died on 6 March 1901 in Clapham, London, leaving a legacy as one of the pioneering figures in the early history of photography. His contributions to the field have had a lasting impact on the art and technology of photography.