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Burton (Alvan) Photograph Collection
SPC.2022.023
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Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Alvan Burton Photograph Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2022.023
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
Physical Description:
4 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1940-1981, undated
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.
Language of Material:
English
.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
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.
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
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.
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.
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
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Black people -- History
Libraries -- Special Collections -- Black people
Photographers, Black
Photography
Photography -- United States -- History
Photography -- Studios and Dark Rooms
Youth, Black
High school
Photography of Sports
High school students
Portraits
Family life
Los Angeles Unified School District
United States . Air Force
US Military Forces