Influential Early 20th Century American Woman Portrait

This glass negative captures Mrs. Bourke Cockran, an influential figure in early 20th-century America. Born in 1864, she was not only the wife of the prominent Irish-American politician and orator Bourke Cockran but also a notable socialite and advocate for women’s rights. Her presence in the public eye exemplified the increasing role of women in political and social issues during this transformative period. Correspondingly, womens suffrage was gaining momentum, and figures like Mrs. Cockran played essential roles in advocating for equal rights.

The photograph was taken by a photographer working with the Bain News Service, a key player in early photojournalism. Established in the late 19th century, the Bain News Service aimed to provide newspapers with captivating images of newsworthy events and individuals. In this context, Mrs. Cockran represents not just her husbands legacy, but also the larger movement towards female empowerment and civic involvement underway at the time. Her life and activities offer a lens into the socio-political climate of her era, marking an important chapter in the American narrative.