Born in Colorado, in 1893, Roy Stryker fought in Europe during WWI and returned to attend Columbia University where he became an assistant professor of economics. Known for his lively lectures and the use of photographs to illustrate abstract economic ideas, Stryker was called to Washington, DC in 1932 to head the Information Division of the Resettlement Administration (later called the Farm Security Administration), a New Deal program designed as a relocation program for poor farmers. During this time, Stryker launched one of the largest government funded documentary photography projects in US history.
After leaving the US government in 1942, Stryker went on to amass another incredible collection of photographs for The Standard Oil Corporation. His personal collection of papers and photographs is held and the University of Louisville, Special Collections Unit.
At the Artist's home in Montrose, Colorado
