Dorothea Lange: Documenting American Life Through Photography by Adam Moliwell

Early Life & Career

atmoliwell — 2025-01-24 18:39:07 UTC

Let's start our exploration of Dorothea Lange's remarkable life. Born in 1895 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Lange overcame childhood polio to become one of America's most important photographers. She studied photography in New York before moving to San Francisco, where she opened a successful portrait studio in 1919.

Migrant Mother (1936)

atmoliwell — 2025-01-24 18:39:09 UTC

Lange's most iconic photograph, 'Migrant Mother,' captures Florence Owens Thompson and her children in Nipomo, California. This powerful image became a symbol of the Great Depression. The original photograph and its story are found in the Library of Congress digital collections.

Japanese Internment Camp Documentation

atmoliwell — 2025-01-24 18:39:10 UTC

In 1942, Lange was hired by the War Relocation Authority to photograph Japanese American internment camps. These haunting images document a difficult chapter in American history. The National Archives holds this important collection of her work.

Oakland Museum of California Collection

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The Oakland Museum holds the largest collection of Lange's personal archive, including field notes, letters, and photographs. Many of these materials have been digitized and are available for your research!

Photo Analysis Worksheet

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Students, use this National Archives worksheet to analyze Lange's photographs in detail. This will help you develop critical thinking skills and better understand the historical context of her work. Stop by the library if you need help with this!

Great Depression Context

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To fully understand Lange's work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA), explore these primary sources about the Great Depression from our Digital History database. Remember - context is key when studying historical photographs!

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Dorothea Lange Pathfinder Worksheet

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