Daniel Burnham

1846 - 1912

Quick Facts

  • Born: 1846, Henderson, United States
  • Died: 1912
  • Top-ranked work: Plate 51 from The Plan of Chicago
  • Top 3 works: Plate 51 from The Plan of Chicago
  • Also known as:
    • Daniel Hudson Burnham
    • D. H. Burnham
    • Daniel H. Burnham
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  • Nationality: United States

The Architect and Urban Planner

Daniel Burnham was an American architect and urban designer. He was a proponent of the Beaux-Arts movement and was known as a successful power broker within the American architectural profession. His career included significant roles in the creation of master plans for several cities, including the Plan of Chicago, as well as plans for Manila, Baguio, and downtown Washington, D.C. He served as the Director of Works for the 1892–93 World's Columbian Exposition, an event colloquially referred to as "The White City."

Burnham's architectural output was diverse, encompassing skyscrapers, city planning, and significant commercial structures. He designed several famous buildings, such as:

Professional Legacy and Contributions

Throughout his career, Burnham was involved in numerous notable projects and commissions. He was a member and the first chairman of the United States Commission of Fine Arts. His work often utilized classical styles, and he was a prominent advocate for the revival of Neo-classical architecture. His firm, D.H. Burnham & Company, was considered the world's largest architectural firm at the time of his death.

His notable commissions included:

Questions & Answers

Where can I see Daniel Burnham's artworks arranged by atmosphere?

The Mood Room of Daniel Burnham is a page that arranges the artist's artworks by mood.

In which movements did Daniel Burnham work?

The movements Daniel Burnham worked in can be seen on the artist's All Movements page, which groups the artworks by movement.

How many artworks by Daniel Burnham are available to browse?

You can browse 1 artwork by Daniel Burnham on the All Artworks page.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Which movement was Daniel Burnham a proponent of?
Question 2:
What was the nickname given to the 1892–93 World's Columbian Exposition?
Question 3:
In which city is the Flatiron Building located?
Question 4:
Which building was the tallest in Chicago at the time of its completion in 1881?
Question 5:
Burnham's 'Plan of Chicago' was prepared alongside which co-author?