Louis Henry Taggart

Epithet: Photographer (1867-1941)

Record type: Biographies

Biography: Louis Henry Taggart (1867-1941), known as Louis, was born in West Derby, Liverpool to Manx parents, William Taggart from Santon and Jane Callow. He was christened on the Isle of Man in 1869 as the fifth of ten children, eight surviving to adulthood.

The 1881 census lists young Taggart as a scholar, living with his family at Castle Street, Douglas. His father is recorded as a hosier and Insurance Agent. Taggart’s mother had died in 1876; his father remarried in 1877 to Elizabeth Kinrade and lived until 1908.

In December 1889 Taggart married Margaret Milburn Gibson from West Derby, in Liverpool. Census records show him employed as a photographer’s assistant, living with his family at Stanley Terrace, Douglas (1891). By 1901 he was employed as a 'photographic refolder', living with his wife in Victoria Avenue, Douglas. Ten years later he was working on his own account as a photographer, living at Malvern Terrace, Douglas. Taggart had two daughters: Sheila Agnes (born 1901) and Muriel Florence (1907). At the time of his death on 16 August 1941 Taggart’s address was 8 Hilary Park, Douglas. His body was interred in Douglas Borough Cemetery (grave ND 14) on 19 August 1941.

Taggart was remarkably low profile in contemporary Manx newspapers. There are some references to a Mr L.H. Taggart singing at concerts around Douglas with a talented tenor voice (Isle of Man Times, 24 December 1898 page 8). No obituary for him has yet been found but he is praised in the Journal of the Manx Museum which noted he 'was an especially valued friend who gave us the benefit of his patient skill since the early days of the Museum. The majority of the half-tone illustrations which have appeared in the Journal were reproductions of his work' (JMM 1 December.1941)

Sheila and Muriel never married and lived together at Port e Chee Avenue. Sheila was notable in that she taught at Murray's Road School for over 40 years (Isle of Man Daily Times. 25 July 1961. page 7) and was influential in the teaching and promotion of traditional Manx dance and music, particularly to children. Photography was one of her hobbies. Sheila died in 1994 and Muriel in 1995.

Gender: Male

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