Burden, Shirley

Shirley Carter Burden (1908-1989), a descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt, was a prominent American photographer, best known for his pictorial essays exploring aspects of Catholic culture, racial intolerance, and architectural heritage. Burden promoted the appreciation of photography through service on the boards and advisory committees of several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, and was a long-time supporter and chairman of the board of Aperture. Colleagues and friends included, among others, Edward Steichen, Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Thomas Merton.