Marion Post Wolcott

Marion Post Wolcott was a noted American photographer who worked for the Farm Security Adminstration during the Great Depression. Her documentations included poverty and deprivation. Born in New Jersey in 1910, she spent most of her time home and at boarding school. During this period, she met many musicians and artists and became interested in dance.

Training as a teacher, she saw the hardships of the Depression and the problems of the poor. On a trip to Europe over a school break, she was introduced to photography and was told to stick with it. As she was continuously approached with stories, she found herself with an offer from the Farm Security Administration and decided to take the job. 

Post's photography for the FSA explored political aspects of poverty and life during the depression. This photograph shows the life of African American children in North Carolina in 1938. The lone standing house and the setting of the photography suggests that life during the Depression was overwhelmingly hard especially for minorities.  Towards the end of the depression, Wolcott met Lee Wolcott and once she finished her FSA assignments, they got married, raised a family and traveled the world.