Marvin Breckinridge Patterson

Mary Marvin Breckinridge Patterson, was an American photojournalist, cinematographer, and philanthropist. She used her middle name, Marvin, both professionally and personally to distinguish herself from her cousin Mary Breckinridge (founder of the Frontier Nursing Service) and to avoid the prejudice against women that was prevalent at the time.

Mary began taking stills at the age of 9 and by the age of 15 was able develop her own photographs. In 1926, Mary received her first camera for Christmas while still attending Vassar College.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia, 2023