Francis Meadow (Frank) Sutcliffe (6 October 1853 – 31 May 1941)[1] was an English pioneering photographic artist whose work presented an enduring record of life in the seaside town of Whitby, England, and surrounding areas, in the late Victorian era and early 20th century.

[5] His business in Skinner Street, a converted jet grinding and polishing works,[5] rooted him to Whitby and the Eskdale valley but, by photographing the ordinary people that he knew well, he built up a most complete and revealing picture of a late Victorian town, and the people who lived and worked there.

[6] His most famous photograph was taken in 1886; Water Rats caused a little comment at the time as it featured naked children playing in a boat,[7] but the image is not erotic.

He was a prolific writer on photographic subjects, contributed to several periodicals, and wrote a regular column in the Yorkshire Weekly Post.

He died at his house Hvid(e)t Huus, Carr Lane, Briggswath, Sleights, aged 87,[12] on 31 May 1941[13] and was buried in Aislaby churchyard.