By the Seaside is an exhibition print by amateur photographer Glenn N. Merry. Featuring what appears to be an abandoned lighthouse or observation tower, it is believed to have been taken in the late 1920’s when he was Vice-President of the Portland, Maine Camera Club. Should you know the location of this photograph please contact this archive.

Glenn Newton Merry: 1886-1977

Glenn Merry lead a fascinating life, although his involvement with amateur photography, based on secondary sources, seems to be limited to roughly 1928-1933. A member of the New York Camera Club by 1932, he was affiliated with New York University as Professor of Marketing since 1940 or before and would continue there until at least 1966, as Professor Emeritus of Marketing.

Born in Nebraska in 1886, he went on to receive his bachelors degree from Northwestern University in 1910, a graduate certificate in speech from Northwestern the following year, his masters in arts from the University of Iowa in 1915 and in 1921, his PH.D from Iowa: a Doctor of Philosophy degree for his dissertation: “Voice Inflection in Speech”: the first laboratory-based Ph.D. in Speech ever awarded. He completed his academic education by receiving an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1925. (1.)

He would go on to become sales operating manager of the Nashua (NH) Gummed and Coated Paper Company sometime after his graduation from Harvard, living in Portland, ME by 1928, the same year his interest in amateur photography as a hobby seems to have blossomed. That year, according to the 1929 American Annual of Photography, he was Vice-President of the Portland, Maine Camera Club.

It’s unknown how long he practiced his hobby, as his professional obligations were many. In addition to his New York University position, he was first the vice-president and general manager of the Howe Coal Companies and then President of the St. George Wholesale Coal Company, a position he held until at least 1942, as indicated on his 1942 WWII draft card. (2.)

1. Earlier, beginning in 1917, Merry authored:  The Fundamentals of Public Speaking … a text book for students in public speaking; in 1920: The Principles of Speaking & in 1921: The Principles of Speech a Text-book for an Introductory Course.

2. In 1937, a Bahamian newspaper noted Merry was manager of the New York office of The Marine Midland Trust Co. and one of its Directors. (The Royal Gazette and Colonist Daily, February 8, 1937)