The first known photograph of Sarah Helen Whitman is this daguerreotype taken by Providence photographer Joseph White in 1856. The daguerreotype depicts Whitman in profile view with her dark brown hair peeking past her accustomed head-wear. A black veil is thrown towards the back of her head and is secured by a black ribbon tied in a bow under her chin. Whitman was 53 years old when this daguerreotype was taken.

The original plate is in Brown University’s special collections at the John Hay Library.