Brigham Young is depicted in this albumen carte-de-visite, photographed by Charles Roscoe Savage and copyrighted in 1871. Savage, one of the most prominent photographers operating in Salt Lake City during the latter half of the nineteenth century, produced and distributed widely circulated portraits of Young throughout his career. The mount reverse bears the imprint of Hoffmann and Römler of Dresden, suggesting this example was produced or distributed through that studio's printing operation.

Young is shown in a bust-length pose against a plain vignette background, wearing a dark coat with a wide lapel, a white shirt, and a loosely knotted black bow tie. His full beard and side-swept hair are rendered with good tonal detail, and his expression is direct and composed.

Brigham Young served as the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877, and also as the first governor of Utah Territory from 1851 to 1858. He was among the most photographed public figures in the American West during the CDV era.

The front mount reads in script "Brigham Young" and carries the copyright line: "Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871 by C. R. Savage, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington."