William Shew
American businessman, daguerreotypist and early photographer
About William Shew
Lived 1820 – 1903 (aged 82). William Shew was an American photographer and daguerreotypist.
William Shew (March 23, 1820 – February 5, 1903) was an American daguerreotypist and photographer active in Boston and San Francisco. He was among the early photographers to work in California and is associated with a mobile studio that he called the "Daguerreotype Saloon". His work included portraiture, views of Gold Rush-era California, and later exhibition photographs shown in San Francisco in the late 1860s.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Shew's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Shew?
American businessman, daguerreotypist and early photographer (1820–1903)
When was William Shew born?
William Shew was born on 1 March 1820.
When did William Shew die?
William Shew died on 5 February 1903 in San Francisco.
What was William Shew's occupation?
William Shew was a photographer and daguerreotypist.
What nationality was William Shew?
William Shew was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Shew. https://biography.guide/william-shew/
MLA: "William Shew." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-shew/.
Chicago: "William Shew." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-shew/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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