R. B. Thorpe Views

[ABOVE] The photographer Robert Baggallay Thorpe with his niece Mrs Kate St Claire, photographed in Rye's Watchbell Street around 1910. Kate, the daughter of Robert's brother, Charles Barrow Thorpe, had travelled to Rye from her home in the United States to visit her uncle Robert Baggallay Thorpe, the only member of the Thorpe family still living in England. [Photograph courtesy of Phyllis Nordstrom and Patricia M. Larsen]

[ABOVE] The Rye photographer Robert Baggallay Thorpe, photographed towards the end of his life. [Photograph courtesy of Phyllis Nordstrom and Patricia M. Larsen]

Robert Baggallay Thorpe was born in Rye in 1834, the son of Harriet and Thomas Thorpe, a linen draper. By 1866, Robert Baggallay Thorpe had established himself as a photographer at 110 High Street, Rye. Alongside naturalist and photographer Edwin Thomas Gasson, Robert B. Thorpe was Rye's main photographer during the 1860s and 1870s. After selling his photography and tobacconist business to the firm of Oliver & Martin, Robert Thorpe moved to the small seaside town of Winchelsea, where he worked as a photographer for a few years. Robert Baggallay Thorpe died on 15th June 1910, at the age of seventy-six.

Between 1866 and 1878, the photographer Robert Baggallay Thorpe took a number of views of the ancient town of Rye and various churches, castles and other picturesque subjects in the surrounding district


Carte-de-visite view of Lion Street, Rye, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). In front of St Mary's Church, on the right, marked by a hanging inn sign, is the Red Lion Inn. When this photograph was taken, the landlord of the Red Lion Inn was John Reed. The Red Lion Inn was later destroyed in a fire.	Carte-de-visite view of the old Baptist Chapel in Mermaid Street, Rye, photographed by Robert B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). When this photograph was taken the Minister of the Baptist Chapel was Rev. William Gill.	Carte-de-visite view of The Landgate, Rye, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite view of old timbered buildings in West Street, Rye, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).


	Carte-de-visite view of an ancient building in Mermaid Street, Rye, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). The 16th century building in this photograph is Hartshorne House. In 1681, this house became the residence of the Rye astrologer Samuel Jeake the younger (1652-1699), following his marriage to Elizabeth Hartshorne, the thirteen year old daughter of Richard Hartshorne, a former Master of Rye Grammar School.	Carte-de-visite view of Rye's Old Grammar School in the High Street of Rye, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). Rye Grammar School was founded by Sir Thomas Peacocke in 1636. Today, this 17th century building houses a record store called "Grammar School Records". On the right of the Grammar School is the business premises of Mr Fisher Clark, miller and baker of 14 High Street, Rye.

Around the Town of Rye


Carte-de-visite view, inscribed "Cottage under the Cliff", Rye", by R. B. Thorpe, 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite view by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite view of stone archway at Rye, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).


Carte-de-visite view of a tree-lined path near the Rye Tower, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).		Carte-de-visite of a view on the outskirts of Rye, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).

Rye's Residences and Neighbouring Villages


Carte-de-visite inscribed "Cottage in Peasmarsh, near Rye", photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite inscribed "Entrance to an old estate in Rye", photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite showing a country road near Rye, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite showing the Strand Gate at Winchelsea, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).


Carte-de-visite inscribed "'Mountsfield', a residence in Rye", photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). In the early 19th century, Mountsfield Lodge was the family home of Thomas Philip Lamb of Rye. When this photograph was taken, Mountsfield was occupied by James Foulis Plomley, J.P., a former Mayor of Rye. In 1881, "Mountsfield" was the residence of John Symonds Vidler, a wealthy farmer and magistrate of Rye.	Carte-de-visite of an isolated cottage, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite inscribed "Cottage under the Cliff at Rye", photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).

Castles in Sussex and Kent

[ABOVE] Carte-de-visite view of St. Nicholas Church, New Romney, Kent, by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).

Can anyone identify any of the subjects or locations featured in this Gallery of Views by Robert B. Thorpe of Rye?

If anyone visiting this webpage can identify the subjects or locations featured in this gallery of carte-de-visite views by Robert Baggallay Thorpe, I would be pleased to hear from you. I can be contacted via the e-mail address which is given on the Home Page of this website.

I am grateful to Pat Argar who was able to identify the subject of the carte-de-visite illustrated on the left as St. Nicholas Church, New Romney, Kent.

To view a selection of photographic portraits by Robert Baggallay Thorpe, click on the link below :

Robert B. Thorpe of Rye- Portrait Gallery


Carte-de-visite view of Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).	Carte-de-visite view of the interior of Bodiam Castle, photographed by Robert B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866). This view shows the three arches of the Screens Passage, which connected the Great Hall with the kitchen and food stores.	Carte-de-visite view of a castle, photographed by Robert Baggallay Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).


Carte-de-visite view of ivy-clad ruins, photographed by R. B. Thorpe of 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).


	Carte-de-visite view of Winchelsea Church by R. B. Thorpe, 110 High Street, Rye (c1866).