Shirley Cohelan Burton Photograph Collection
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2023
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: Shirley Cohelan Burton Photograph Collection
Dates: 1966-1997
Collection Number: SFP 106
Creator/Collector:
Burton, Shirley Cohelan, 1924-1997
Extent: 19 cartons of approximately 30,000 negatives and 25,000 photographic prints
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Collection contains photographic prints, contact sheets, negatives and color slides by photographer Shirley Mabel Cohelan
Burton of political events and speakers in San Francisco, California from 1966-1997. Includes her professional photographs
documenting San Francisco Democratic political events as well as speakers at the Commonwealth Club of California. Political
events and gatherings include mayoral, supervisor and governor campaign events; Democratic club meetings and conventions;
and candidate receptions. Burton began photographing speakers at the Commonwealth Club of California in 1980 until 1989.
Language of Material: English
The collection is partially processed but available for research. Series 2 is processed and open for research. For Series
1, 3 and 4, please contact the Photo Curator. The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.
All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item]. Shirley Cohelan Burton Photograph Collection. Collection Number: SFP 106. San Francisco Public Library.
San Francisco History Center
Gift from John Burton. 2001-13
Biography/Administrative History
Shirley Mabel Cohelan Burton was born on November 16, 1924 to Adrienne Jeffrey Cohelan and George A. Cohelan in San Francisco,
California. Educated in San Francisco public schools, she attended High School of Commerce and graduated from University of
California at Berkeley with a degree in history. In 1953 she married Robert Edward Burton. Burton was a political activist
who took part in many campaigns and held many Democratic Club offices. Chairperson positions held include California Democratic
Council, San Francisco Council of Democratic Club, Sunset-Parkside Democratic Club, Democratic Volunteers for Alioto, Yerba
Buena Democratic Club, and San Francisco's Democratic County Central Committee. Burton held leadership positions within Golden
Gate Businesses & Civic Organization and National News Service for Women & Minorities. Parallel to her participation in political
activities, Burton photographed the campaigns and events she attended in the late 1960s-1970s. By 1980 Burton established
herself as a professional photographer with her business Suburban News Service and became one of the photographers of the
Commonwealth Club of California speaker series. Burton photographed until her death. Shirley Mabel Cohelan Burton died on
December 11, 1997 in Pacifica, California
Scope and Content of Collection
Collection contains photographic prints, contact sheets, negatives and color slides by photographer Shirley Mabel Cohelan
Burton of political events and speakers in San Francisco, California from 1966-1997. Includes her professional photographs
documenting San Francisco Democratic political events as well as speakers at the Commonwealth Club of California. Political
events and gatherings include mayoral, supervisor and governor campaign events; Democratic club meetings and conventions;
and candidate receptions. Burton began photographing speakers at the Commonwealth Club of California in 1980 until 1989. Her
personal photographs include family and friend events and gatherings.
Politicians -- California -- San Francisco.
Celebrities - California - San Francisco
Commonwealth Club of California.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century.
Photographic prints -- 20th century -- San Francisco
Transparencies