Eden George

Ernest Eden George , known as Eden George, was born in New South Wales and came to New Zealand as a young man. He made his career in photography and was active in Auckland and Dunedin, but mainly in Christchurch. Entrepreneurial, combative and confrontational, he entered the political scene. In his early life, he stood at five elections to the New Zealand Parliament, but he came last at every occasion. Surprisingly, he was elected Mayor of Christchurch in 1892 without, unlike all his predecessors, having ever served as a councillor on Christchurch City Council before. He had a most difficult year, was soundly beaten at the next election and told councillors that they should forget him, as he would forget them. Indeed, in 1906, his was the only photo of all the citys ex mayors that was not on display in the mayors office.

George was born in Forbes, New South Wales to photographer and wellknown cyclist William Rufus George and Bettina Holme. He attended Sydney Grammar School before becoming a photographer in c.1883 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The name of his business was George and Walton and they operated at 214 Colombo Street, which was located in the central city opposite Victoria Square. The photography studio was purposebuilt and they first advertised their services as American Photographers in The Press onNovember 1883, and on occasions flew the American flag at their office. A branch studio was opened in Dunedin.

Source: Wikipedia