(1808-1888) Born near Granville, Ohio, he learned the daguerreotype process from Robert Cornelius in Philadelphia about 1843. In 1843 Root was listed with a writing academy in Philadelphia, at the southwest corner of Eighth and Mulberry Streets.
In 1844 Root not listed in Philadelphia directory; it was in this year he reportedly began daguerreotyping in Mobile, Ala., buying out John A. Bennett at 59 Royal Street. In this same year, Root was noted as a daguerreian in New Orleans, La. The Rinharts have also listed Root as a daguerreian that year in St. Louis, Mo., at the corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets, in partnership with S.P. Miller.
In 1845-1846 Root was listed as a daguerreian at 140 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa. He was listed in partnership as Root and Collins (D.C.). In 1846 Root was listed at the same address, alone, as a teacher of writing and photographist. His home was on Eighth St. below George. From 1848 to 1856 he was listed at the same address, as a photographist. In 1849, Marcus Root opened a second gallery at corner of Franklin and Broadway, New York City, under supervision of his brother Samuel. In 1850, one of the Root brothers, probably Samuel, produced a daguerreotype of Jenny Lind in New York City.
In 1851, the Root Brothers exhibited at the American Institute, Castle Garden, New York. Their exhibition included eight double whole plate daguerreotypes, fourteen full plates; twelve two-thirds plates; fourteen half plates and two quarter-plates. They also exhibited nine half-plates taken with the Crayon process.
From 1851 to 1853, M.A. and S. Root were listed as daguerreians at 363 Broadway, New York City. Marcus Root continued to be listed in the directory, although by December, 1851 it was reported he had sold his interest in gallery. The gallery continued under Samuel and J.W. Thompson as Root & Co. In 1853 Marcus Root was listed back in Philadelphia as a daguerreian, at 140 Chestnut Street. He was reportedly about to open additional rooms in Washington, D.C., and was furnishing these rooms in January, 1853. These rooms may have been under the direction of John Clark, who later went to New Orleans.
One source reported that in March, 1854, Marcus Root was about to open new New York City daguerreian rooms at the corner of Broadway and Houston Streets. Another source places this move to New York City in 1856, coincident with the sale of his Philadelphia gallery. Shortly before the New York City gallery was to open, Root was involved in a train crash which left him crippled. He was confined to his home in Philadelphia for the next four years.
There were several notices in 1856 which involved the Root brothers. There was a notice of a new daguerreian establishment in Washington, D.C.; which Root brother was involved is unclear. In addition, Marcus Root continued to be listed in the Philadelphia city directory as a M.A. Root & Co., "Heliographic Portrait Gallery", at 140 Chestnut Street. Also in 1856, Marcus Root, along with Giles Langdell, developed a new and improved method of coloring photographs, daguerreotypes, etc. The process involved application of the coloring substances.
In 1857, Marcus Root was not listed in the Philadelphia directory, and George S. Cook advertised the "Root Gallery" on the southeast corner of Fifth and Chestnut Streets. There was no listing for the Root gallery in 1858, but in 1859 Cook advertised it once again at 822 Chestnut Street.
It was reported that circa 1861 Marcus Root established a new gallery in New York City, following recuperation from his train crash. He died in 1888. The Root imprint has been seen on the velvet liner of a daguerreotype case: "Root/140 Chestnut St/ Philada."