Rufus Cutler Libby (known professionally as R. Cutler Libby;[1] October 3, 1861 – January 29, 1934) was an American photographer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His large collection of works, many of which are of now-demolished buildings, is now in the archives of Maine Historical Society.

Rufus Cutler Libby
BornOctober 3, 1861
DiedJanuary 29, 1934(1934-01-29) (aged 72)
Portland, Maine, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine, U.S.
Known forPhotography

Early life

edit

Libby was born in Portland, Maine, in 1861 to Deacon Arthur Libby, a furniture dealer,[2] and Elizabeth Ann Dresser.[3]

Career

edit

He began working as an insurance agent, initially with North British & Mercantile at 28 Exchange Street,[4] a career in which he remained for over fifty years.[1] He was later based out of an office at 38 Exchange Street.[5] In 1907, he was working for Pennsylvania Fire.[6] In 1913,[7] he joined Turner, Barker & Company at 48 Exchange Street. He became known as an amateur photographer; his collection numbered in the hundreds, and is now in possession of Maine Historical Society.[2][8]

Personal life

edit

On December 30, 1885, he married Amelia Frances Brewer. Around a decade later, the couple were the first owners of 34 Congress Street, at the corner of Morning Street.[1][2] Their son, Herman, inherited the home in 1934.[2]

Death

edit

Libby died in 1934, aged 72, after a brief illness.[1] He was interred in Portland's Evergreen Cemetery, alongside his wife who predeceased him by eleven months.

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d Obituary, Portland Evening Express (January 29, 1934)
  2. ^ a b c d "Greater Portland Landmarks - Munjoy Hill Stories". Greater Portland Landmarks. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Erikson, Dorothy Brewer; Fiske, Jane Fletcher (1996). Descendants of Thomas Brewer: Connecticut to Maine, 1682-1996, with Allied Families. New England Historic Genealogical Society. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-88082-054-7.
  4. ^ AdvertisementPortland Daily Press, August 28, 1899
  5. ^ Reports, Head Officers, the Modern Woodmen of America ... Egbert, Fidlar, & Chambers. 1901. p. 5.
  6. ^ Department, Maine Insurance (1907). Annual Report of the Insurance Commissioner. Sprague, Owen & Nash. p. 46.
  7. ^ The Standard. Standard Publishing. 1913. p. 377.
  8. ^ "Search Results". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved June 26, 2024.