ABOUT THIS PROJECT
This
site is intended to record as best I can the life and work of Charles Dudley
Arnold. In a way little has actually been written about Arnold, although
his name is something of a household word when it comes to photography at
the Chicago Columbian Exposition and the Pan-American Expo.
no
one has attempted to consolidate everything that is known about him, which
unfortunately
is not a great deal.
It
Is the hope of this author that through the unique idiom of the internet,
more will be become known about this individual and flesh out his rather
obscure life.
I
did expect that the Centennial celebration of the Columbian Expo in Chicago
in 1993, especially by the grand exhibit put forth by the Chicago Historical
Society, that more would be learned "coming out of the closet" so to speak.
But apparently nothing of note came from that yearlong event. Fortunately
what it did do was organize and exhibit the grand and beautiful work that
was on hand at the CHS and other donors to that exhibit. And for the first
time in a century the world got to see those marvelous specimans of not only
a great world's fair, but the skill, hardwork and craftsmanship that was
apparent in the original works by Arnold and his concession at the fair.
This
ongoing collection and explanation of material regarding Arnold is not meant
to be a thorough documentation or listing of all of his photographs. This
site is merely to tell what I know about Arnold, his life and his work, and
in some cases to refute what I think is somewhat damaging or incorrect material
relating to Arnold's personal and/or business acumen.
The
first section in this saga will concern itself with what is known about the
earliest beginnings of C.D. Arnold's life, progressing through the scant
information that is available on his early life, his obscure entry in
photography, and finally his work as a commercial photographer including
the expositions, fairs, and general architectural work.
The
author would appreciate comments, one way or the other, concerning this subject
and/or how it is presented. No claim is made to be a serious work of
literary biography as the author is a photographer, not a professional
writer.
But
if the site accomplishes its task - the dissemination of information
on C.D. Arnold, his life and work - then its purpose will have been
served.
Having
information that is, for all practical purposes hidden from
everyone,
or
not shared, does justice to no one, especially to Arnold, whose life and
work deserve to be known and remembered.
Thomas
G. Yanul - August, 2001
The
Following sections can be reached here:
Above is insert page, use return to come back and
continue.
