Alvan Burton Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: SPC-2022-023

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alvan Burton photograph collection (1940-1981, undated) contains four boxes and four linear feet of over 1,000 photographs and nearly 200 negatives from the life and career of Alvan Burton, a Black photographer. The photographs are mostly black and white, but some are in color. Photos are undated but presumably span the length of Burton’s career, plus his family photographs. This collection is arranged into four series: Personal Photographs and Documents; People and Portraits; Jefferson High School; and Negatives. The Jefferson High School series is divided into sub-series of “Athletics” and “Students”. Burton’s personal photographs include family photographs, travel photography from around the world, and pictures documenting his military service. In addition, Burton was heavily involved in his community, particularly Jefferson High School. There, he dedicated his time to mentoring the students and focused a large part of his career to increasing media exposure for Black teen athletes. As such, the majority of his photographs depict Jefferson High athletes and students. Finally, the collection also includes a number of portraits, both candid and posed, taken in Burton’s studio and throughout his neighborhood and depicting the lives of those in his community.

Dates

1940-1981, undated

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

Alvan Robert Burton (1925-2009) was born in Louisiana and relocated with his family to Los Angeles in 1939. After serving in World War II, Burton became a professional photographer, operating his own studio in Los Angeles, where he documented the lives of the students of Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as the Central Avenue Business Association, local churches, society events, and civic organizations. Throughout his career, he mentored a number of young men and women, and played an instrumental role in increasing newspaper exposure for Black high school athletes. After retiring from photography, he became involved in the Los Angeles Unified School District, serving as an activist and advisor for the Interscholastic Athletics Association and the Parent Collaborative. He also maintained an active role in the Jefferson High School Alumni Association, as well as a number of community organizations, serving the neighborhood where he grew up and lived.

Extent

4 Linear Feet

4 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection showcases the photographs of Alvan Robert Burton (1925-2009), a well-respected Black photographer, community advocate, youth mentor, and Air Force veteran. After serving in World War II, Burton opened a photography studio in the Central Avenue neighborhood of Los Angeles, where he documented the lives of those in his community, particularly the students of Thomas Jefferson High School. This expansive collection includes photographs and negatives from throughout Burton’s career, as well as his personal family photographs.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series

Series I: Personal Photographs and Documents; April 4, 1941 - June 5, 1973; undated
Series II: People and Portraits, undated
Series III: Jefferson High School, August 1957, 1981; undated
Sub-Series A: Students, August 1957; undated