In the vibrant tapestry of Kingston upon Thames, a plaque stands as a testament to a remarkable life. The Edward Muybridge Plaque commemorates a man who transcended the boundaries of photography and delved into the mysteries of motion. Edward James Muggeridge, later known as Eadweard Muybridge, was born in this very town in 1830. His journey, marked by both triumph and tragedy, began as a bookseller in America. A life-altering stagecoach accident in 1860 led him to photography. Muybridge’s innovative spirit propelled him to capture images that the human eye could not perceive. Commissioned by Leland Stanford, he proved that a galloping horse does indeed have all four hooves off the ground at a certain point. The Edward Muybridge Plaque serves as a reminder of this groundbreaking work. His experiments with multiple cameras along a racetrack, capturing sequential images of a horse in motion, revolutionized the understanding of animal locomotion. The Edward Muybridge Plaque also silently acknowledges the darker chapter of his life. The acquittal for the justifiable homicide of his wife’s lover interrupted his work but did not diminish his passion. The Edward Muybridge Plaque stands as a symbol of his resilience. He continued his motion studies at the University of Pennsylvania, capturing thousands of images of humans and animals in motion. The Edward Muybridge Plaque is a tribute to his vast contribution to science and art. His work influenced artists, scientists, and animators alike. His zoopraxiscope, a precursor to the motion picture projector, further solidified his legacy as a pioneer. The Edward Muybridge Plaque in Kingston upon Thames honors the man who not only captured motion but also set it free.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service