Thomas H. Sloan MP

Thomas Henry Sloan became a Member of Parliament for South Belfast in 1902. Here be was photographed by the celebrity photographer of his day Sir (John) Benjamin Stone (1838-1914), Politician and photographer.  The portrait captures Sloan in a powerful image taken at the Members’ Entrance to Terrace, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. It was taken in 1903 showing that Sloan had already made a name for himself and was not only a very present but a popular member of Parliament. The photograph is dated and details are handwritten.  It was originally held until 1974 by the Library at the House of Commons and in turn donated to the National Portrait Gallery. The Gallery is a National Treasure founded in 1856, the aim of the National Portrait Gallery, London is ‘to promote through the medium of portraits the appreciation and understanding of the men and women who have made and are making British history and culture, and … to promote the appreciation and understanding of portraiture in all media’

It is fitting that Sloan should be found there, he was a Parliamentary pioneer – the first independent, working-class politician, and champion of rights and a faith leader who fought for international peace and stability.

Taken by Benjamin Stone
platinum print, 1903
8 in. x 6 1/8 in. (203 mm x 155 mm) image size
Given by House of Commons Library, 1974
Photographs Collection