Marion Post Wolcott

Marion Post Wolcott (1910-1990) was a esteemed American photographer, known for her compelling images that captured the essence of American life during the Great Depression and its aftermath. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Wolcott began her career as a teacher but eventually pursued her passion for photography. She joined the Farm Security Administration (FSA) and documented the harsh realities faced by farmers, migrant workers, and communities affected by economic hardship. Her striking photographs became iconic representations of the era, revealing the resilience and indomitable spirit of the American people.

Marion Post Wolcott Biography

• Born on June 7, 1910 in Montclair, New Jersey, USA.
• He studied sociology at the New School in New York.
• He began his career as a photographer in the late 1930s .
• In 1938, he joined the Farm Security Administration (FSA) and documented people affected by the Great Depression.
• During World War II, he photographed for the Office of War Information.
• After the war, he worked as a freelance photographer, providing work for magazines and books.
• He died on September 24, 1990 in Santa Barbara, California (aged 80).

Representative works

• Country Store (1939)
• Girl Picking Cotton (1939)
• Tourists in Florida (1940)

Walcott's style and achievements

Walcott's work is characterized by a warm gaze towards people and a documentary spirit that captures social reality as it is. She vividly portrayed the light and shadows of farmers and workers during the Great Depression, and American society during wartime .

Walcott's photographs raised awareness of social issues and influenced government policy, and she was also a pioneering woman photographer whose work has had a major influence on contemporary documentary photography.