William Foss Shorey was born in Hollis, Maine on April 20, 1833. After graduating from the Maryland Institute of Art and Design, he became a drawing and design instructor.

He became a photographer during the Civil War, serving as official photographer for the Maryland Department of the Grand Army of the Republic. He opened his first studio at 131 E. Baltimore Street, and later opened "Shorey's Gallery" at 157 W. Baltimore Street.

He also reportedly served as photographer for Western performer William "Buffalo Bill" Cody during the first decade of his "Wild West" traveling show. He also provided photographic services for local businesses, and made portraits of the prominent men featured in John Thomas Scharf's History of Baltimore City and County, which was first published in 1881.

Mr. Storey's tintype sepia portraits typically present rather stiffly posed, fancy dressed and coiffed subjects with some artistic props such as ornate furnishings or military regalia in either the foreground or background. They offer interesting insights into the early years of photography, when portraiture straddled the delicate balance between art and commercialism.

After operating his studio for nearly three decades, Mr. Shorey retired in 1893. He remained in his beloved hometown of Baltimore until his death on June 1, 1911.

Biographical information of artist obtained from the Historic Camera database http://historiccamera.com