Today in History: Daniel Burnham

Architectural details of Daniel Burnham's 1910 Peoples Gas Building
Today in History–September 04–the Library of Congress features architect Daniel Burnham, born on this day in 1846. Burnham and his partner, John Wellborn Root, were a central force in the Chicago School of Architecture, which focused on simplicity and functionality. Burnham created plans for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition as well as for the burgeoning city of Chicago. Learn more about this visionary architect by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources and primary source learning activities related to Daniel Burnham and Chicago architecture.

Architect Daniel H. Burnham Was Born from America’s Library

Daniel Burnham image set

Chicago school of architecture image set

Chicago architecture image set

Plan of Chicago by Daniel Burnham & Edward Bennett (1909)

Historical newspaper coverage: Daniel Burnham newspaper coverage

Select Topics in Chronicling America – World’s Fair: Chicago (1892-1893)

Historical newspaper coverage: Chicago architect

Historical newspaper coverage: Chicago architecture

Select newspaper articles related to New York’s Flatiron Building, designed by Daniel Burnham

Primary source activity: Chicago School of Architecture (search for images from Chicago History Museum Chicago Daily News collection)

Primary Source Spotlight: Architecture

City Spotlight: Chicago, Illinois