Charnay, Désiré 1828-1915

Claude-Joseph-Désiré Charnay was a French photographer, archaeologist, and writer, best known for his travels and photographs of early South and Central American sites. Born in Fleurie, he travelled to New Orleans, where he became a teacher. He travelled extensively throughout Mexico and Central and South America, pioneering the use of photography to document his journeys and discoveries. He made several important finds, and published numerous books about his discoveries, as well as translations and a romance.

From the description of Désiré Charnay's The ruins of Central America with notes by Augustus Le Plongeon, and letter of transmittal from Frederick A. Ober to the American Antiquarian Society, 1880-1895. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 166922869

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