1899 Kelly's Directory of Hampshire & IOW (page 634)
George St John Biggs, photographer, 56 West Street, Ryde

1910 Kelly's Directory of IOW
George St John Biggs, photographer, 26 West Street, Ryde

My thanks to Julian Baker (Fareham) for the above photo.

This photo is of Julian's grandfather William Argyle Daish (1898-1973) taken when William looks to be about 8 years old.

Close-up of Biggs' embossed logo on front of above photo

In the 1891 census, George jnr was recorded as being a photographer, as was his younger brother Charles, and still living at Rose Villa with his younger siblings and widowed mother, George snr having died in 1889. Also living in the same house as the Biggs' family, but listed as a separate 'head', was Kate Quinton - a 21 year old photographic retoucher from Newport. Kate was a sister of photographer Fred Quinton and, like George, was apprenticed to the eminent Royal photographer Charles Knight who was appointed to HM Queen Victoria. 

On completion of his apprenticeship, in 1892 George opened his own studio in Ryde which developed into a successful business and, in turn, enjoyed Royal patronage. He married Kate (Kitty) Quinton at a non-conformist chapel in 1894, and the couple later had three daughters; Ivy Kathleen (c1894), Winifred Grace (c1896) and Marion. It is interesting to note that the marriage entry also gives George's name as George Rosson - possibly reflecting the fact that his parents were not actually married until after his birth.

According to the 1901 census, George and family were still living in Ryde, with George being recorded as a 31 year old photographer. His mother, Rose, was then living in St Helens and employed as a monthly nurse.

In 1911, George St John Biggs and family emigrated to Western Australia, where George managed studios in Perth until 1920. In 1921, after spending a year travelling, George opened the 'Falk Studios' in Auckland, New Zealand, which quickly gained a reputation for quality, especially in child studies and bridal work. When George died in 1932, the business was carried on by his wife and daughters until 1942, whereupon it was taken over by an Amy Harper. On the death of his daughter Grace St John Biggs in 1976, the large collection of negatives amassed over a lifetime was given to the Institute and Museum in Auckland. 

My thanks to Barbara Price (Australia) for contributing to these notes. Barbara (nee Biggs) is a great-niece of George St John Biggs and learnt about George's antipodean activities from a document written by his youngest daughter Marion sometime before her death in 1983.