Jabez Hogg

Jabez Hogg joined the medical profession in 1840 becoming an apprentice to Dr Hugh Diamond in London. Diamond was a pioneer in the new technology of photography and Hogg soon started to collaborate with him. Hogg become interested in the potential use for photography in science and in 1843 he wrote one of the first ever books on the subject, ‘A Practical Manual for Photography'. He is also credited with being the subject of the earliest photograph showing a photographer at work.

In addition to being a medical practitioner, Hogg was also a microscopist and journalist. In 1843 he was on the staff at the ‘Illustrated London News' and later edited a series of illustrated educational works and was the editor of the 'Illustrated London Almanack' for fifty-one years.

Hogg's medical service saw him become a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, fellow of the Medical Society of London and a member of the Pathology Society of London. He practiced medicine for 45 years (specialising in ophthalmic surgery) and in

1855 he was appointed at the Royal Westminster Ophthalmic Hospital as personal assistant to Guthrie, the founder of the hospital, and here he was elected to the office of surgeon on 2 Feb. 1871, a position he resigned under an age limit on 7 June 1877. He was also ophthalmic surgeon to the Hospital for Women and Children in the Waterloo Bridge Road and to the masonic charities.