Francis J. Bassett (1845-1933) moved to the United States from England with his family in 1851 when he was six years old. He married Dora E. Nichols of Waterford, PA in 1870. His daughter Florence was born a year later.

In 1872 Francis Bassett began a photography business with C. E. Wilbur in Waterford, PA. By 1876, Bassett had moved to Erie, PA. and dissolved the partnership. His studio was located at 728 State Street, Erie, PA.

During his career Bassett, with the help of his wife, Dora, produced images of thousands of men, women and children and groups during an important period of growth in the community. Following his wife’s death in 1903, he discontinued the photography business.

The Bassett Collection consists of 11,495 glassplate negatives varying in size from 4"x5" to 11"x14", spanning 1872-1903. A majority of the collection consists of studio portraiture; approximately 200 images feature other subjects. Small numbers document people and activities outside of his studio. A selection of portraits and other topics have been printed and are available for viewing. A finding aid for the entire collection, roughly alphabetical in nature, may be used on site.

Like many other photographer's children, Florence was frequently photographed by her father. Note her less-than-enthusiastic expression. She is responsible for donating the collection to ECHS following her father's death in 1933.

LIST OF IMAGES:
1..Mary Casey, young lady, c. 12 yrs. of age, with bicycle, full figure, neg. no. 1713
2. Solomon Smith, black adult, bust, neg. no. 9910.
3. William L. Scott, 3/4 bust, neg. no. 9522.
4. Ellen DeWitt, young lady reading book, 1/2 figure seated, neg. no. 2653.
5. Mrs. Annie Scott Strong, lounging in her boat the “Mystic”, full figure, neg. no. 10136.
6. Captain James Hunter, older adult, in Captain’s slicker, 3/4 full view, neg. no. 5129.
7. US Coastguard at Erie Station, group, neg. no. 11,185.
8. Florence Bassett, baby, full view, neg. no. 1452.