Photography is traditionally a profession dominated by men, but one of SC&A’s photography collections is the life work of a fascinating woman, Edith McChesney Ker. Originally from Virginia, Edith’s life took an unexpected turn while on an African safari in 1958. While in Kenya, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Donald Ker, owner of Ker & Downey Safaris. Edith later moved to Kenya to be with Donald and became an avid photographer of wildlife and nature. The East African Wildlife Society used more than 50 of her photographs for their Christmas cards and calendars. Furthermore, some of her photographs have been used in educational books for children.
After Donald’s death in 1981, Edith traveled around the world, capturing her adventures through photography. Many of the photographs in the Edith Ker Collection document these adventures.  However, some of my favorite images come from early years in Africa.
Rhinoceros and bird in Amboseli, Kenya
Elephants in an unknown river
Crocodile in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
Zebra in unknown location
Although Edith photographed all different types of animals, I especially like the photographs featuring lions.
Lion cub in Tanzania
Lion pride in Talek, Kenya
Lion pride in unknown location
Focusing on African Safaris: The Edith McChesney Ker Collection