Born: 17 March 1866, United States
Died: 9 June 1952
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Elizabeth Alice Austen
The following is republished from the National Park Service. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Alice Austen was a photographer who documented the lively activities of her female social circle at the turn of the century in New York City.
Austen was born on March 17, 1866. Her father abandoned the family when she was around three years old. As a result, she and her mother moved into her grandparents’ home, a wisteria-laden farmhouse on Staten Island that the family nicknamed Clear Comfort. Clear Comfort became a National Historic Landmark in 1993.
Austen received her first camera as a gift when she was a child. She wasn’t formally trained as a photographer, but she developed a love for the craft. She photographed people at work on the streets of New York – street sweepers, police officers, and messenger boys alike. At the time she was taking pictures, venturing into the city alone as a wealthy, upper-class woman was unusual. Austen was even more conspicuous since she rode a bicycle and hauled camera equipment.
Most of Austen’s photography was done as an avocational amateur. Because she and her family were independently wealthy, she didn’t need to sell her work to survive. Being financially secure gave her freedom not often experienced by contemporary women artists.
Austen was interested in documenting her own life and experiences, particularly her social circle in New York. Most of Austen’s friends were women, and many of them – like Austen herself – were in romantic relationships with other women. Austen often photographed herself and her friends holding hands, wearing men’s clothing, and cuddling in bed – all intimate scenes of queer women’s affection and love. Austen met her life partner, Gertrude Tate, in 1899.
Austen lost her wealth in the stock market crash of 1929. She and Tate tried to eke out a meager income by renting out Clear Comfort, but it wasn’t enough. Austen needed a wheelchair to get around because of complications of arthritis, which limited the housing and employment opportunities available to her. She moved into the Staten Island Farm Colony – often described as a “poorhouse” – at the age of 80. Tate went to live with her family, who didn’t approve of the couple’s relationship. She was only able to visit Austen once a week.
In 1950, Oliver Jensen – a researcher and writer associated with LIFE magazine – found the glass plates for Austen’s photographs in storage at the Staten Island Historical Society. He was intrigued by their subject matter and impressed by their technical and stylistic excellence. While investigating the plates’ origins, he learned that Austen was still alive and planned to visit her. However, when they met, Austen was unresponsive – until Jensen started showing her enlarged images of her photography. She was able to share the details of who and what were featured in her pictures.
After interviewing her, Jensen planned a story about Austen to be published in LIFE. Running in the September 24, 1951 issue, the article featured Austen’s photographs of Clear Comfort, her friends and family, and her pets. Two weeks after the article’s publication, the Staten Island Historical Society decreed an “Alice Austen Day,” creating an opportunity to display Austen’s photographs to the public for the first time. Austen and Tate were both able to attend the celebration.
Alice Austen died in 1952 at the age of 86.