Charles S. (Charles Sumner) Olcott

Born in 1864, Charles Sumner Olcott was an American writer remembered for books that mixed travel writing with a strong interest in photography. He is especially associated with The Lure of the Camera, a work that reflects the excitement surrounding photography as it became more accessible to ordinary travelers and hobbyists.

Olcott wrote in a readable, personal style, using his own experiences to bring places and scenes to life. That combination of observation and enthusiasm makes his work appealing not just as travel literature, but also as a glimpse of how people discovered the world through the camera in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

He died on May 3, 1935, at age 71. Though he is not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, his books still hold interest for readers drawn to vintage travel writing, photographic history, and the spirit of curiosity that connects both.