John Clagett Proctor

This is a somewhat gussied-up version of the photo that constitutes the frontispiece of John Clagett Proctor's 1949 book Proctor's Washington, a collection of his Washington DC history articles in the Washington Star newspaper. He identifies himself as "historian, poet, genealogist and writer."  He seems likely to have been the most prolific historian of Washington D.C. and it's surrounding suburbs. See Proctor's obituary in the Washington Star for a summary of his life.  For a more thorough treatment of Proctor's life see Milton Rubincam's 1963 biography in the Journal of the Columbia Historical Society.

The same photo serves as the frontispiece of his 1850 book Proctor's Poems which collects poems, on mostly historical subjects, also previously published in the Star. Proctor published his autobiography in both publications.  

Proctor's 1956 obit in The Star points out his receding hairline:

A little man, slightly bowed in his late years with a border of white hair receding from a balding dome he was a familiar figure for years at patriotic and historical meetings. -- The Star, April 20, 1956.

The frontispiece of Proctor's first book Johannes Heintz and His Descendants from 1918 shows him with considerably more hair:

As does this photo from 1930's biography of John Clagett Proctor in Washington, Past and Present; a History  (John Clagett Proctor, Editor in Chief) believed to written by himself, in which states that "For many years Mr. Proctor has been one of Washington's foremost historians":

Although he never practiced law, Proctor received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the National University in 1893  and a Master of Laws degree the next year. National University would merge into George Washington University in 1954. 

Proctor is shown below receiving an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the National University in 1939. See The Washington Star, June 14, 1939.

 John Clagett Proctor married Annie Maud Crown in 1887. Here they're shown celebrating their golden anniversary in 1937 in their home at 1605 Jonquil  Street.

1605 Jonquil Street

The Ward 4 Heritage Guide notes that this house  was "designed in 1935 by Dillon & Abel for a noted historian and journalist who chronicled early Washington history."

John and Maud Proctor lived at 1605 Jonquil Street until they died, she in 1953, and he in 1956. They are interred in a mausoleum in Rock Creek Cemetery that bears John Clagett Proctor's name:

Sec 14, Lot 5, Crypt 5 Left

John Clagett Proctor

Born November 15, 1867

Died April 19, 1956

(Photo by Kent Boese, Find-a-Grave)

Annie Maud (Crown) Proctor

Born September 19, 1867

Died February 2, 1953

The rear window features a sunset view of Rock Creek: