Charles Bierstadt

He was educated in the national schools of his native town and New Bedford, Massachusetts, whence his parents moved in 1831.

At fifteen years of age he began his apprenticeship at cabinetmaking and during his six years of service he spent some time in the study of photography, in which, in 1856, he and his other younger brother Edward Bierstadt made numerous trials and experiments which proved successful, and then they established themselves in business as photographers.

In 1863 Bierstadt moved his business to Niagara Falls, New York where he carried it on with great success.

[2][3] In 1873, he traveled for five months to Europe, Palestine, Egypt, and Tripoli to take photographs published the next year.

While in Europe, he won the highest award at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair for his stereoviews of Niagara Falls.