1914 Portrait of Hillaire Belloc: Writer & Historian

This photograph features Hillaire Belloc, a prominent writer and historian known for his works on a variety of subjects, including history, travel, and philosophy. Taken on September 18, 1914, during a time of great global upheaval with the onset of World War I, this image captures Belloc at a moment when his literary contributions were increasingly influential. Born in 1870 in France and later settling in England, Belloc was not only a prolific author but also a public intellectual who engaged in debates about politics and society. His sharp wit and eloquent prose made him a significant figure in early 20th-century literature.

The photograph was produced by the Bain News Service, which specialized in capturing images that documented newsworthy individuals and events of the era. As a glass negative, it served as a means of preserving Bellocs likeness for distribution to newspapers and magazines, making his face recognizable to the public at the time. This specific image reflects the aesthetic and technical practices of early photography, showcasing how personalities like Belloc were portrayed to engage a broader audience. The context surrounding this photograph offers a glimpse into the early 1900s, a period rich with literary contributions and social discourse, marking Belloc as an essential figure worth remembering.