John Thomson (14 June 1837 – 29 September 1921) was one of the first Scottish photographers, geographers and explorers. He was one of the first photographers to ever travel to the Far East, taking pictures of people, landscapes and Oriental cultures. Back home, he began to work on the streets of London. He is considered a classic of the social identity of documentary photography, which became the basis of modern photojournalism.

Here are a series of his photos. They are all photos of London taken between 1876 and 1877.

1. Black cab.

2. Billposting.

3. A walking advertisement.

4. Working the channel.

5. Chimney sweeper.

6. Covent Garden flower girl.

7. Londoner repairing a chair.

8. Slogger from Covent Garden.

9. French artist – signs creator.

10. Ice cream for a halfpenny.

11. Doctor.

12. Lambeth.

13. Former driver of omnibus.

14. Stray coppersmiths and producers of ginger beer.

15. Locksmith.

16. Nomads.

17. Old furniture store.

18. Tavern.

19. Offal at St Giles.

20. Widow of a tailor.