Mark Francis Willoughby

The sitter was identified as 'Willoughby' on the album page. A pencilled inscription on the reverse of the mount gives a date, 'late October 65.' Other portraits in the same album included James 'Holy' Johnson and the missionary Joseph Sewell with two Madagascan converts, indicating that the compiler of the album had a special interest in missionary work and African Christianity.

The location of the photographer's studio on Upper Street in North London is significant; the Church Missionary College was also on Upper Street in Islington.

This is therefore probably Mark Francis Willoughby from Lagos, who studied at the Church Mission College circa 1864-65. He returned to Lagos in 1866.

[I am indebted to Ayodeji Abodunde for the identification.]

Photographed by Armstead and Maltby of Upper Street, Islington.