Beaumont Newhall
1908–1993
Introduction
Beaumont Newhall (June 22, 1908 – February 26, 1993) was an American curator, art historian, writer, photographer, and the second director of the George Eastman Museum. His book, The History of Photography, remains one of the most significant accounts in the field and has become a classic photographic history textbook. Newhall was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his accomplishments in the study of photographic history.
Wikidata identifier
Q144164
Information from Wikipedia, made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License . Accessed January 2, 2026.
Introduction
Born 22 June 1908; died 26 February 1993. In 1937 Newhall mounted the first comprehensive retrospective of the first hundred years of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York. From 1940 to 1945 Newhall helped to create and acted as curator for the department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York. From 1942 to 1945 he served as an officer for photographic intelligence for the United States Air Force in Egypt, North Africa and Italy. From 1948 to 1958 Newhall acted as curator at George Eastman House, Rochester, New York. From 1958 to 1971 he was the director of the institution. Newhall was a founding member of the Friends of Photography, Carmel, California in 1967.
Country of birth
United States
Roles
Artist, art historian, curator, officer, photographer
ULAN identifier
500037130
Names
Beaumont Newhall
Information from the Getty Research Institute's Union List of Artist Names ® (ULAN), made available under the ODC Attribution License. Accessed January 2, 2026.
