James Good Tunny

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Born in Edinburgh, James Good Tunny, developed a considerable photographic business operating from a series of addresses in and around the city including 93 Princes Street. The earliest studio was probably that in 78 South Clerk Street which Tunny opened in 1850. By 1861 at the age of 40, he employed a staff of five, two men and three women, including Margaret Neilson, the photographer's apprentice, who lived with the Tunny family. According to Stubbs, Tunny taught photography and lectured at the Edinburgh Photographic Society on processes including carbon printing. In 1882 he made an extensive trip to the United States, visiting studios in cities across the country as well as taking his own photographs. After Tunny's death in 1887, James Balmain continued the business as JG Tunny and Co.

1850 - 1859 78 South Clerk Street

1860 Causewayside

1860 - 1874 93 Princes Street

1869 - 1872 102 South Bridge

1870 6 West Newington

1871 - 1886 11 Salisbury Place

1875 - 1887 13 Maitland Street

1887 19 Salisbury Place

then under Balmain

1888 - 1897 19 Salisbury Place

1888 - 1898 13 Maitland Street

1896 - 1898 13a Maitland Street

1899 - 1909 as 61 Shandwick Place