Vechten, Carl Van (1880-1964)
Creator details
- Name
- Vechten, Carl Van (1880-1964)
- Nationality
- American
- Biography
- Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964) was an American writer, photographer, and patron of the arts. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he attended the University of Chicago and later moved to New York City, where he became a prominent figure in the literary and artistic circles of the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote several novels and biographies, including a controversial biography of Gertrude Stein, and was a regular contributor to magazines such as Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. Van Vechten was also an avid photographer, known for his portraits of famous artists, writers, and musicians, including Langston Hughes, Bessie Smith, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. He was a supporter of African American artists and writers, and his photographs helped to promote their work to a wider audience. In addition to his literary and artistic pursuits, Van Vechten was a collector of art and artifacts from around the world. He donated his extensive collection to Yale University, where it is now housed in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Van Vechten died in New York City in 1964, leaving behind a legacy as a writer, photographer, and champion of the arts.
