MySource:Kerbent/Prominent Maltese People - Richard Ellis by Josef Ebejer

Richard Ellis Ellis was born in London, England (1842 - 1924) but he spent his childhood and received his early education in Malta. Mr. Ellis took to photography at a time when the art form was still in its early development in terms of both technique and equipment. Ellis was one of the pioneers of photography in Malta and Ellis studios in Strada Reale now Republic Street, Valletta were popularly considered the epitome in professional and artistic excellence in the art of photography.

Ellis was active and prominent in all branches of the art: still lives, views, and society photography in addition to all the various departments of developing, printing, retouching, mounting and frame making, and later dealing and retailing of all types of photographic goods and equipment.

Ellis as, by special appointment, photographer to , inter alia, King George V the Due of Edinburgh, the Duke of Hesse, Queen Alexandria, King Edward VI, the German Emperor, the Queen of Portugal, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the prince Louis of Battenburg. His works were awarded medals and trophies at many exhibitions. The number of books and other publications featuring his works is countless. With the passage of time it is not only the historic value of 'things as they then were' that becomes increasingly prominent in them, but also the technical excellence of his art in almost each of his works. The Ellis family also established themselves prominently in Gozo. Richard commuted regularly between there and Malta, also finding time for tutoring at the Malta Society of Arts, manufactures and Commerce. In 1913 he was appointed to the organizing committee of the International Eucharistic Congress. Ellis married Alfonsina Curmi and their son, John was later also active in the family business.