Currier, Nathaniel (1813–1888)

US lithographer. He established his own lithography firm, issuing his first print in 1835. He made James Ives his partner in 1857 and the firm Currier & Ives became a household name, their hand-coloured prints portraying a wide spectrum of 19th-century American life.

He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He served his apprenticeship under William S and John Pendleton in Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. Currier and Ives became quite prosperous. Currier retired in 1880, his son William carrying on the business with Ives.