Welcome to Kington upon Thames

Eadweard Muybridge

Kingston is the birthplace of Eadweard Muybridge, one of the world’s most innovative and influential photographic pioneers and whose extensive studies of humans and animals in motion played a critical role in the history of photography and the moving image.

Muybridge left his personal collection to Kingston Museum and Archive where it continues to inspire us to this day. The collection includes Muybridge’s original Zoöpraxiscope projection machine and unique glass discs, personalised lantern slides, original 19th century prints, Muybridge’s own scrapbook and many other items that make this collection of major international significance.

Image by permission of Kingston Museum & Heritage Service.

To view Eadweard Muybridge’s work, visit www.eadweardmuybridge.co.uk

Cesar Picton

Originally from Senegal, Cesar came over to England in 1761 aged 6. He was sent over as a gift for Sir John Philips of Kingston, by an army officer serving in Senegambia. Sir John took Cesar into his home as a servant. Following the death of Sir John’s wife Lady Elizabeth Philips, Cesar was given £100 from her will. With the money he received Cesar set himself up as a coal merchant. His business was extremely successful, and with an additional £100 left for him in Sir John’s daughter’s will he was able to buy a property in Kingston known as Picton House. There is a plaque issued by Kingston Council on the building down High Street, which highlights Cesar’s successful career. Cesar lived in this property for 20 years, before moving to Tolworth. He died in 1836 at the age of 81 and is buried within All Saints Church.

To learn more about Cesar Picton, visit www.kingston.gov.uk/cesar_picton_s_story_pdf-2.pdf

Nipper the Dog

Better known as the dog from the HMV logo, Nipper was originally born in Bristol and lived with his original owner Mark Henry Barraud for 3 years. He was called Nipper as he had a tendency to nip his owner’s ankles. Following Mark’s death in 1887, Mark’s brother Philip and Francis took ownership of Nipper, and consequently moved to Liverpool. Whilst there, Nipper was exposed to a phonograph and it was noted the puzzled look Nipper would give when “His Master’s Voice” was played from the machine. Three years after Nipper’s death, Francis Barraud painted a picture of a dog listening to a phonograph, which then inspired the HMV logo.

Nipper died in 1895 and was buried in Clarence Street in Kingston, where Lloyds TSB is today. There is a plaque inside the bank commemorating Nipper, and a nearby street has been named Nipper Alley in his honour.

To learn more about Nipper the dog, visit www.nipperhead.com/old/nipper.htm