Birth of Berenice Abbott

Berenice Abbott was born on July 17, 1898, in Springfield, Ohio. Her early years were marked by a challenging family environment, with her parents’ divorce leaving a lasting impression. Raised primarily by her mother, Abbott developed a keen interest in science and art, possibly influenced by her eclectic education and the vibrancy of the bohemian culture she later embraced. This upbringing laid the foundation for her eventual pursuits in photography and documentary storytelling.

Her birth year places Abbott in the context of a rapidly modernizing world, where urban landscapes were maturing and new artistic movements were emerging, all of which would hugely impact her career and legacy.