The Civil War was not the first war where photography was utilized – the Crimean War was the first – but photography certainly came of age during the Civil War. Multiple photographers, like Matthew Brady and Alexander Gardner, built their reputations on what they captured for posterity.

Photography at Gettysburg continued to flourish after the war, as millions over the years visited the famous battlefield.

A less famous, but nevertheless successful photographer in Gettysburg from the post-war period through the 1920s was Marian Williams, known to the townspeople as Max. Born in 1868 and raised in Gettysburg, Williams gleaned an early fascination with the late battle, coupled with the art of photography. As a young adult he opened a studio in the back of his home on the corner of West High and South Washington Streets. He worked out of his studio, perfecting his craft for forty years.

A prominent fixture in town, Max Williams worked as an official photographer for Gettysburg National Military Park. He also worked as a photographer for the Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

One of Mr. Williams’ favorite photographic locales was Devil’s Den – as it was also a popular place for tourists. He took more photographs at the den than any other, although other historic parts of the field, such as the High-Water Mark, were also photographed by him.

Marian Williams died at the age of 61, after a brief illness, in March 1929. Many of his photographs, particularly of visitors to Devil’s Den, remain coveted artifacts of Gettysburg and those who visited in years past.

Sources: Devil’s Den File, Gettysburg National Military Park. M.F. Williams Photography, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, PA. The Gettysburg Times, “50 Years Ago”, March 29, 1979. The women in the above photo are: (left to right) Helen Meyers, Laura Ash, Bertha Ash, Lila Ash, Doris Ash (age 13). Photo taken in early 1920s by Max Williams.