This collection consists of a carte de visite photograph of local African American man, James Scruggs, taken by Lexington photographer James L. McCown, circa 1895. McCown's photographer stamp appears on the back as well as an inscription in pencil which identifies the subject as James Scruggs.
James Scruggs was likely born around 1850 and the 1880 census lists his occupation as Servant/Laborer. He died in 1915. James L. McCown returned to Lexington after the American Civil War to continue his photography career. He died in 1922.
This collection is open for use.
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
Purchased in April 2025
Carte de visite Photograph of James Scruggs (WLU Coll. 0313), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.