Charles Pelham Browne (1840 – 25 May 1916) was a prominent photographer in the Gisborne, New Zealand district operating between the years of 1876 and 1901. Many examples of his work are held by the Tairawhiti Museum.
C P Browne was born circa 1840 England, reg. Dec 1840 (as Charles Pelham Brown), baptised 4 June 1842 Mellor, Mellor, Derbyshire, England.[1]
C P Browne established a photographic business in Gisborne in 1876 after spending some time in Thames and Auckland.[2]
On 20 September 1878, Browne married Catherine Rebecca Morse.[3] They had no children.
In 1895, Browne joined the Lodge Abercorn at Gisborne,[4] and remained a member until his death on 25 May 1916.[5]
Browne's work consisted mainly of studio portraiture. Oil colouring and photo-enamelling by Browne was highly regarded in commentaries from the local newspaper.[6] [7]
By 1883 Browne was advertising as 'Gisborne Photographic Studio'.[8] In 1891 his studio in Gladstone Road, Gisborne was extended for greater capacity.[9]
Catherine Browne was known to work with C P Browne on photographic expeditions and in the studio.[10] [11]
Browne sold his business to Benjamin Shatford Cox in 1901.[12]