# Margaret Bourke-White

> American photographer (1904-1971)

**Wikidata**: [Q238364](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238364)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Bourke-White)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/margaret-bourke-white

## Summary
Margaret Bourke-White was an American photographer (1904–1971) known for her groundbreaking work in documentary and photojournalism. She is celebrated for her iconic images of the Great Depression, including the famous *Migrant Mother* (1936), which became a symbol of American resilience. Bourke-White was a pioneer in the field, blending artistic vision with social commentary, and her work remains influential in photography and journalism.

## Biography
- Born: January 14, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education: Attended the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Purdue University, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University
- Known for: Pioneering documentary and photojournalism, particularly during the Great Depression
- Employer(s): Affiliated with the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Purdue University, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University
- Field(s): Photography, journalism, documentary photography

## Contributions
Margaret Bourke-White made significant contributions to photography and journalism, particularly through her work during the Great Depression. Her most famous image, *Migrant Mother* (1936), captured the hardship of Dust Bowl migrants and became a powerful symbol of American struggle. She documented the 1936 Presidential Election, the 1937 World’s Fair, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair, providing critical visual records of historical events. Her work was published in *Fortune*, *Life*, and *The New York Times*, and she was awarded the honorary doctorate from Rutgers University and inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

## FAQs
**What is Margaret Bourke-White known for?**
Margaret Bourke-White is known for her pioneering work in documentary and photojournalism, particularly her iconic image *Migrant Mother* (1936), which symbolized the struggles of the Great Depression.

**Where did Margaret Bourke-White work?**
Margaret Bourke-White was affiliated with several universities, including the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Purdue University, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University.

**What awards did Margaret Bourke-White receive?**
Margaret Bourke-White received the honorary doctorate from Rutgers University, was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and was honored by the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

**What was Margaret Bourke-White’s most famous photograph?**
Margaret Bourke-White’s most famous photograph is *Migrant Mother* (1936), which depicted a Dust Bowl migrant mother and her children, becoming a symbol of the Great Depression.

## Why They Matter
Margaret Bourke-White mattered as a trailblazer in documentary photography, blending artistic vision with social commentary. Her work, particularly *Migrant Mother*, became a cultural icon, influencing generations of photographers and journalists. Her images documented pivotal moments in American history, including the Great Depression and World’s Fairs, providing visual records that shaped public perception. Bourke-White’s legacy endures in her contributions to photojournalism, her advocacy for women in the field, and her enduring influence on visual storytelling.

## Notable For
- Pioneering documentary and photojournalism during the Great Depression
- Creating the iconic image *Migrant Mother* (1936), a symbol of American resilience
- Documenting the 1936 Presidential Election, the 1937 World’s Fair, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair
- Receiving the honorary doctorate from Rutgers University
- Induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame
- Publishing work in *Fortune*, *Life*, and *The New York Times*

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Margaret Bourke-White was born on January 14, 1904, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She attended the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Purdue University, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University, where she studied photography and journalism.

### Career and Notable Works
Margaret Bourke-White began her career in photography, focusing on documentary and photojournalism. Her most famous work, *Migrant Mother* (1936), captured a Dust Bowl migrant mother and her children, becoming a powerful symbol of the Great Depression. She documented the 1936 Presidential Election, the 1937 World’s Fair, and the 1939 New York World’s Fair, providing critical visual records of historical events.

### Publications and Affiliations
Margaret Bourke-White’s work was published in *Fortune*, *Life*, and *The New York Times*. She was affiliated with the University of Michigan, Cornell University, Purdue University, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University.

### Awards and Recognition
Margaret Bourke-White received the honorary doctorate from Rutgers University and was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Her contributions to photography and journalism were widely recognized and honored.

### Legacy and Influence
Margaret Bourke-White’s legacy endures in her pioneering work in documentary photography, her iconic images, and her influence on visual storytelling. Her work continues to inspire photographers and journalists, and her images remain culturally significant.

## References

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36. [Margaret Bourke-White](https://www.fembio.org/biographie.php/frau/feature/margaret-bourke-white/beruehmte-fotografinnen)
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