David Plowden, an American photographer, died on May 4, 2026, at age 93.
He was known for historical documentary photography of urban cities, steam trains, American farmlands and small towns. Born in Boston on October 9, 1932, he grew up primarily in New York City and graduated from Yale College in 1955.
He worked for the Great Northern Railway in 1959 and later studied under Minor White and Nathan Lyons. Plowden also served as an assistant to O. Winston Link and George Meluso and produced 20 books. His work is held in the permanent collections of institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Center for Creative Photography, George Eastman House and the Library of Congress.
David Plowden, 93, American photographer.