The Royal Photographic Society's Historical Group was founded in 1972 to promote knowledge of the history of photography in all its aspects, and to encourage the preservation of photographs, photographic equipment and documents relating to the history of photography.
The Group acts as a forum for all members and non-members world-wide with an interest in photographic history, from the early-nineteenth century to the present day. We also publish a journal, The PhotoHistorian, three times year.
Historical Group Newsletter October 2026
Our next online talk is 'Alf's Camera: Photographing Servants' Lives' with Eleanor Matthews of English Heritage on Tuesday 13th October 2026 (1900 BST) Book here
A Call for Papers has been published for the 3rd RPS Historical Group and University of Wolverhampton Research Symposium to be held on Saturday 6th March 2027. Deadline for abstracts is 7th December 2026. Call For Papers
Watch 2026 Research Symposium video
Book tickets for our Programme
