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Article created by: Mariia Tkachenko
Before the invention of photography, the appearance of famous and historical figures was documented in statues, paintings, engravings, and written sources. However, such depictions aren’t exactly accurate, as artistic limitations and biases can make the person look different from reality. Thankfully, when photography came about, it changed how well-known people are recorded, and now we can see them truly as they were. To celebrate this and remind us how fortunate we are to be able to take such a glimpse into history, Bored Panda compiled a list of historical figures who lived long enough to be photographed. Scroll down to find it below, and don’t forget to upvote those pictures that left you star-struck.

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#1

Vincent Van Gogh, 1873

Black and white portrait of a legendary person from history, part of rare photos of legendary people ever photographed.

Van Gogh Museum Report

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    #2

    Harriet Tubman, C. 1868

    Historic portrait of a legendary person sitting on a chair in vintage attire, rare photo from legendary people collection.

    Benjamin F. Powelson Report

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    #3

    Tesla Sitting In Front Of A Spiral Coil Used In His Wireless Power Experiments At His East Houston St. Laboratory, 1896

    Legendary person Nikola Tesla seated and reading, with a large circular coil apparatus behind him in a vintage photo.

    Electrical Review Report

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    #4

    Annie Oakley, C. 1903

    Vintage sepia photo of a legendary person wearing a hat with a star, showcasing curly hair and period clothing.

    Heritage Auction Gallery Report

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    #5

    Geronimo, Or Goyahkla, 1887

    Historic photo of a legendary person kneeling outdoors, holding a rifle, surrounded by plants in a black and white setting.

    Ben Wittick Report

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    #6

    Wedding Photo Of Pierre And Marie Curie, 1895

    Black and white photo of legendary people from history posing formally, dressed in early 20th century attire.

    Wikimedia Commons Report

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    #7

    Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, 1914

    Black and white portrait of a young legendary person in vintage dress, seated and looking at the camera.

    George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress Report

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    #8

    Mark Twain, 1908

    Legendary person resting in bed, dressed in a red jacket, reading a book in a rare historic photo.

    The Art Stack Report

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    #9

    Churchill In 1900 Around The Time Of His First Election To Parliament

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person in formal attire, representing rare photos of legendary people.

    Imperial War Museums Report

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    #10

    Pablo Picasso, 1904

    Black and white photo of a legendary person from 1904, capturing a rare historical moment in photography.

    Ricard Canals Report

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    data1001 avatar
    Data1001
    Data1001
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's the eyes -- they looked the same even in old age.

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    #11

    Hannah Stilley Gorby, Possibly The Earliest-Born Person To Be Photographed, Born Around 1746

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person from a rare historic photograph, showcasing early photography style.

    Wikimedia Commons Report

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    #12

    Rasputin And His Admirers, 1914

    Group portrait of legendary people from early 20th century in a formal indoor setting, captured in a historic photo.

    Karl Bulla Report

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    #13

    Frederick Douglass, C. 1847-1852

    Historic photo of a legendary person in formal attire, showcasing a rare and iconic image from the past.

    Art Institute of Chicago Report

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    data1001 avatar
    Data1001
    Data1001
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There needs to be more movies made about this man.

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    #14

    President Abraham Lincoln, C. 1846

    Vintage portrait of a legendary person seated, wearing a suit and bow tie, showcasing rare photos of legendary people.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #15

    Daimyo Shimazu Nariakira, Subject Of The Earliest Surviving Japanese Photograph, 1857

    Faded vintage photo of a legendary person in formal attire, one of the rare photos of legendary people visible.

    Ichiki Shirō Report

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    #16

    Leo Tolstoy, 1848

    Young legendary person posing in a vintage black and white photograph, showcasing historical legendary people.

    Pavel Biryukov Report

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    #17

    Ernest Hemingway At His Typewriter, Circa 1939

    Black and white photo of a legendary person typing at a desk, captured in a rare historic photograph.

    Lloyd Arnold Report

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    #18

    Roosevelt After Leaving Office In October 1910

    Vintage photo of a legendary person wearing a hat and glasses, captured candidly among a crowd outdoors.

    American Press Association Report

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    #19

    Calamity Jane, 1901

    Black and white vintage photo of a legendary person sitting indoors in historical attire and surroundings.

    Louis R. Freeman Report

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    #20

    Robert Cornelius, The First Person To Photograph Themself, 1839

    Faded early photo of a legendary person with distinctive hairstyle, part of rare collections of legendary people photographs.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #21

    Harriet Beecher Stowe, C. 1852

    Vintage portrait of a legendary person from the 19th century, one of the rare photos of legendary people ever photographed

    Bowdoin College Museum of Art Report

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    #22

    William F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"), 1911

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person with a distinctive beard and hat, captured in a rare historic photo.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #23

    Wright Brothers, 1909

    Two legendary people in vintage suits sitting on wooden steps in a rare historic photograph.

    Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Report

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    #24

    Emily Dickinson, C. 1847

    Vintage photo of a legendary person from the 19th century, seated with hands clasped, wearing a dark dress and ribbon.

    Amherst College Report

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    #25

    Sylvia Plath, 1950s

    Black and white vintage photo of a legendary person with short hair in a classic mid-20th century portrait style.

    Giovanni Giovannetti/Grazia Neri Report

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    #26

    Portrait Photograph Of Jack London, 1876-1916

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person in a white shirt and dark tie, classic vintage photo style.

    Arnold Genthe Report

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    #27

    Charles Darwin, 1869

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person with a long white beard, seated and looking thoughtfully to the side.

    Julia Margaret Cameron Report

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    #28

    Wyatt Earp, C. 1868

    Black and white portrait of a legendary man with a mustache, an example of rare photos of legendary people.

    Wikimedia Commons Report

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    #29

    Portrait Of Karl Marx, 1818–1883

    Black and white portrait of a bearded man seated, one hand inside coat, representing legendary people photographed.

    International Institute of Social History Report

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    #30

    M. Lefebre, One Of The Last Surviving Veterans Of Napoleon's Army, 1858

    Vintage photo of a legendary person in a detailed military uniform with medals and a tall feathered hat.

    Brown University Report

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    #31

    A French Veteran Of The Battle Of Waterloo, 1897

    Elderly man with medals sitting on a bench holding a cane in a historic photo of legendary people.

    Emile Lenoble Report

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    #32

    John Herschel, 1867

    Portrait of a legendary person with white hair and vintage clothing in a rare historic photograph.

    Julia Margaret Cameron/Adam Cuerden Report

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    #33

    Portrait Of Charles Dickens, Between 1867 And 1868

    Vintage portrait of a legendary person with a distinctive beard and mustache, captured in an old legendary people photograph.

    J. Gurney/Heritage Auction Gallery Report

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    #34

    Photographic Portrait Of Sigmund Freud, Circa 1921

    Black and white photo of a legendary person in a suit holding a cigar, one of the rare legendary people photographed.

    Max Halberstadt Report

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    data1001 avatar
    Data1001
    Data1001
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...

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    #35

    Helen Keller And Anne Sullivan, C. 1913

    Two legendary people in early 20th century attire standing on a wooden deck, holding handbags and books.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #36

    Daniel F. Bakeman, The Last Surviving Soldier Of The Revolutionary War, 1868

    Vintage photograph of a legendary person seated, wearing a dark coat and holding a cane, historic portrait style.

    Wikimedia Commons Report

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    #37

    Isambard Kingdom Brunel, 1857

    Vintage photo of a legendary person in 19th century attire standing confidently in front of giant iron chains.

    Robert Howlett Report

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    data1001 avatar
    Data1001
    Data1001
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whew, that name is a mouthful.

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    #38

    Billy The Kid, 1878

    Two legendary people playing croquet outside a wooden building in a vintage black and white photo.

    Wikimedia Commons Report

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    #39

    Queen Victoria, 1887

    Black and white photo of a legendary person in elaborate royal attire and lace veil sitting on a carved chair.

    National Portrait Gallery Report

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    #40

    Ulysses S. Grant, C. 1870s

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person wearing a suit and bow tie, featured in rare photos of legendary people.

    Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Library of Congress Report

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    #41

    Lewis Carroll, 1857

    Black and white vintage photo of a legendary person seated in profile, example of rare legendary people photographs.

    National Portrait Gallery London Report

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    #42

    The Duke Of Wellington, 1844

    Vintage portrait photo of a legendary person wearing formal attire from the collection of legendary people photographs.

    Antoine Claudet Report

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    #43

    John Quincy Adams, 1843

    Black and white photo of a legendary person sitting in a wooden chair in a vintage room with books and a lamp nearby.

    Philip Haas Report

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    data1001 avatar
    Data1001
    Data1001
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen this photo before, and he always reminded me of some actor -- although I've never been able to figure out who I'm thinking of.

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    #44

    Martin Van Buren, C. 1849

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person wearing formal 19th century attire, captured in a historic photograph.

    Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University Report

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    #45

    Butch Cassidy, C. 1900

    Vintage sepia photo of a legendary person seated in antique chair wearing a suit and bowler hat, rare historic photo.

    CDA, Greenmountainboy Report

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    #46

    President Franklin Pierce, C. 1851-1860

    Black and white portrait of a legendary person in formal 19th-century attire, part of rare photos of legendary people collection.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #47

    John Chapman, Aka Johnny Appleseed, C. 1840s

    Black and white photo of a legendary man with a long white beard, sitting and looking directly at the camera.

    David R. Johnson Report

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    #48

    Wild Bill Hickok, C. 1860s

    Vintage sepia photograph of a legendary person with long hair and mustache, historic portrait of a legendary figure.

    Heritage Auctions Report

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    #49

    President James K. Polk, 1849

    Sepia-toned portrait of a legendary person in formal 19th-century attire, captured in a vintage photographic style.

    Brady, Mathew B. Report

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    #50

    Confederate President Jefferson Davis, C. 1861

    Black and white photo of a legendary person standing with books, one of the rare photos of legendary people ever photographed.



    Mathew Benjamin Brady Report

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