MARGARET BOURKE-WHITE
(1904-1971)
Margaret Bourke-White was an extraordinary photographer and a woman of many firsts. Not only was she the first female photojournalist for Life magazine and the first photographer for Fortune magazine, but she was also the first female war correspondent allowed to work in combat zones during World War II, and also the first Western photographer allowed into the Soviet Union.
Before becoming a photographer, she attended five different universities in pursuit of a degree in Herpatology (the study of reptiles), eventually receiving her degree from Cornell in 1927.
She was born in the Bronx to intense parents, Minnie Bourke and Joseph White, who believed in reading and improving the mind. They did not allow things like comic books or chewing gum. Bourke-White enjoyed photography as a hobby and had a father who supported her interest. She studied with Clarence White, a leader in the pictorial school of photography, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio to launch her career. Her first job was as an industrial photographer at the Otis Steel Mill, which brought her much acclaim.
She married twice, once at a young age, then again to writer, Erskine Caldwell, whom she collaborated with on several book projects, including You Have Seen Their Faces, documenting the depression.
“Utter truth is essential and that is what stirs me when I look through the camera”–Margaret Bourke-White
“The camera is a remarkable instrument. Saturate yourself with your subject, and the camera will all but take you by the hand and point the way.”–MBW
Margaret Bourke-White clearly made a huge mark on photography, and proved that women are just as capable as men, even in the most difficult situations.
To see additional photos by Margaret Bourke-White, click on the highlighted link. You can also check out her work on Amazon (click on this book to get started).
Here’s a list of some of the books she created:
You Have Seen Their Faces, 1937 with Erskine Caldwell
North of the Danube, 1939 with Erskine Caldwell
Shooting the Russian War, 1942
They Called it “Purple Heart Valley”, 1944
Halfway to Freedom; a report on the new India, 1949
Portrait of Myself, 1963
Dear Fatherland, rest quietly, 1946
The Taste of War (selections from her writings edited by Jonathon Silverman
FYI: I just read that Barbara Streisand is hoping to direct her first movie in 16 years–”Skinny and Cat,” a love story about Margaret Bourke-White and her late husband, writer Erskine Caldwell. You can read about it here.
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Thank you for this informative and inspirational post. I didn’t know a lot about Bourke-White, so I’m glad to learn a bit more–and now I want to find out more. I love learning about strong women who made the way for a lot of the rest of us.
Tina, I’m glad you enjoyed this post. MBW was not only talented, but fearless–a perfect combo in the world of photography, if you ask me. I hope Barbara Streisand is able to make a movie about her and Erskine Caldwell. I’d love to know more about both of them.
Thanks for writing such an important and informative post. We need more stories written about the achievements and careers of the women who came before us. Hollywood has been negligent in their portrayal of such women as Burke-White. I hope Ms. Streisand is successful in finally bringing this story to the screen. This project has been kicking around Hollywood since I was writing movies of the week in the 1980s. It is long overdue.
It was an honor to write about Margaret Bourke-White and remind people about her contributions, which were far and wide. She was quite an inspiration–especially for women.
Congratulations on a marvellous summary of her life. No chewing gum made me laugh.
Interesting to learn that Barbara Streisand may direct the film…
It sounded like MBW’s parents were tough cookies–especially her dad, but clearly it contributed to her motivation and work ethic. She blazed a lot of trails for women, and created and exquisite body of work.