Bachrach, Louis Fabian, 1881-1963

Louis Fabian Bachrach, Sr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland, July 16, 1881. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1897. He studied at the Maryland Institute of Design from 1898 - 1899. He also attended the Art Students' League in New York City in 1900.

In 1868, Bachrach's father, David, opened a photographic studio in Washington and another in Baltimore. Louis began his photographic career by working with his father in Washington and Baltimore and by helping several photographers in New York. In 1904 Louis continued the national chain by opening a studio in Worcester, Massachusetts. In 1915 he assumed the presidency of Bachrach, Inc., a position which he retained until 1955. He was succeeded by his son, Bradford.

Aside from his photographic career, Mr. Bachrach was a noted horticulturist who experimented with and grew many rare plants. He also contributed many scholarly horticultural articles to leading magazines along with articles on photographic technique, especially portraiture and lighting.

In 1949 the Professional Photographers Association of America awarded him the degree of honorary master of photography, and two years later presented him with its highest award for contributions to professional photography. That same year the New England Photographers Association made him an honorary life member.

Mr. Bachrach was an active member of the Unitarian Church; a member -of the Newcomen Club; the Masons; Rotary; and the Appalachian Mountain Club.

He died in semi-retirement July 24, 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts.

From the guide to the Louis Fabian Bachrach Papers, 1950-1963, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)