Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Gordon Parks

Role / Field:

Pioneering American artist known for documentary photojournalism and civil rights advocacy.

Born:

1912-11-30

Died:

2006-03-07

Century / Era:

1912s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks (November 30, 1912 – March 7, 2006) was an American photographer, composer, author, poet, and filmmaker, who became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism in the 1940s through 1970s—particularly in issues of civil rights, poverty and African Americans—and in glamour photography. He is best remembered for his iconic photos of poor Americans during the 1940s (taken for a federal government project), for his photographic essays for Life magazine, and as the director of the films Shaft, Shaft's Big Score, and the semiautobiographical The Learning Tree. Parks was one of the first black American filmmakers to direct films within the Hollywood system, developing films relating the experience of slaves and struggling black Americans, and helping create the "blaxploitation" genre.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The National Film Registry cites The Learning Tree as "the first feature film by a black director to be financed by a major Hollywood studio." Parks was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Andrew Jackson Parks and Sarah Ross, on November 30, 1912. He was the youngest of 15 children. His father was a farmer who grew corn, beets, turnips, potatoes, collard...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. van Vogt — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Adolf Galland — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): German Luftwaffe general and celebrated flying ace of World War II.
• Alan Turing — Contemporary (Born in 1912) (1912): Father of theoretical computer science, known for the Turing machine and codebreaking.
• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Alexander Litvinenko — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Russian defector and critic of the Kremlin, known for exposing state corruption.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (11-30 · Died) (1988): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Alfonso Caso — Shared historical date (11-30 · Died) (1970): Pioneering Mexican archaeologist renowned for pre-Columbian studies.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Shared historical date (03-07 · Died) (1931): Leading Finnish painter and pioneer of national romantic art, famed for the Kalevala.
• Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud — Shared historical date (03-07 · Born) (1955): Saudi billionaire, investor, and influential member of the House of Saud.
• 1912 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1912
• November 30 (11-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 30
• 2006 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2006
• March 7 (03-07) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 7

Frequently Asked Questions about Gordon Parks