Ursula Clark: Architectural Photographer
Presentation Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2026 3:12 PM
Description
The architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000) is best-known for her archive of around 20,000 negatives now in the care of Historic England. It is the largest by a woman photographer held by the conservation body and some 2,000 images from the Ursula Clark Collection have now been digitized. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Ursula was appointed photographic editor of Oriel Press, Newcastle upon Tyne, England on its launch in 1962. She then spent the next decade creating images to illustrate a series of its popular illustrated architectural guides featuring England, France, Italy, Scotland and Spain as well as cities such as Leeds and Newcastle and counties including Durham and Northumberland. The 25th anniversary of Ursula Clark's death in February 2025 was marked by events and articles/blogposts sharing new research into her life and career. With the support of Gary Winter, Engagement and Content Officer, Historic England, this paper will share fresh research findings and previously unseen images from Ursula's negative archive including examples of her colour work.
Dr. David Barber is a photo historian. His latest research is shared in a weekly blog. Dr. Barber was awarded a doctorate in photographic history by Durham University, U.K., in 2021 and an MA in photographic history and practice by De Montfort University, Leicester, U.K., in 2016. His research interests include stereoscopic photographers and the photographic history of North East England.
Relational Format
Conference proceeding
Recommended Citation
Barber, David, "Ursula Clark: Architectural Photographer" (2026). Women of Photography: A 24-Hour Conference-a-thon Celebrating International Women’s Day. 36.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/womenofphotography/2026/schedule/36
Ursula Clark: Architectural Photographer
The architectural photographer Ursula Clark (1940-2000) is best-known for her archive of around 20,000 negatives now in the care of Historic England. It is the largest by a woman photographer held by the conservation body and some 2,000 images from the Ursula Clark Collection have now been digitized. Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Ursula was appointed photographic editor of Oriel Press, Newcastle upon Tyne, England on its launch in 1962. She then spent the next decade creating images to illustrate a series of its popular illustrated architectural guides featuring England, France, Italy, Scotland and Spain as well as cities such as Leeds and Newcastle and counties including Durham and Northumberland. The 25th anniversary of Ursula Clark's death in February 2025 was marked by events and articles/blogposts sharing new research into her life and career. With the support of Gary Winter, Engagement and Content Officer, Historic England, this paper will share fresh research findings and previously unseen images from Ursula's negative archive including examples of her colour work.
Dr. David Barber is a photo historian. His latest research is shared in a weekly blog. Dr. Barber was awarded a doctorate in photographic history by Durham University, U.K., in 2021 and an MA in photographic history and practice by De Montfort University, Leicester, U.K., in 2016. His research interests include stereoscopic photographers and the photographic history of North East England.