Timeline

1924

Born in Zurich, Switzerland

1941 - 1944

Began a series of apprenticeships and employment positions as a photographer’s assistant in Switzerland

1947

Soon after his emigration to New York in 1947, Alexey Brodovitch hired Frank as a fashion photographer for Harper’s Bazaar

1955 - 1957

Embarked on a two-year trip across America during which he took over 28,000 pictures

1955

Guggenheim Fellowship; also 1956

1959

Frank began making films

1970 - 1971

American Film Institute grant

1985

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie Erich Salomon Prize

1987

Friends of Photography Peer Award for a Distinguished Career in Photography

1996

Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography

1999

Honorary Ph.D. from the University of Göteborg

2000

International Center of Photography Cornell Capa Infinity Award

2002

Edward MacDowell Medal

Robert Frank lives and works in New York City and Nova Scotia