Dudley Smithers

Wilfred Dudley Smithers was a pioneering photographer, writer, and historian who documented the American Southwest. His work, spanning over 50 years, focused on early aviation, military life, and the culture of the Texas Big Bend region. His entire collection of nine thousand images was acquired by the University of Texas.

Born in Mexico, Smithers was fluent in Spanish and deeply interested in the culture of the U. S. -Mexico borderlands. He served in the U. S. Cavalry during World War I and later worked as a news correspondent and freelance photographer, running his own studios in San Antonio and Alpine, Texas.

Unique Fact: He invented a camera with a rigid bellows that was unaffected by the blast from an airplanes propeller, showcasing his innovative spirit.