Wallace "Kirk" Kirkland (1891–1979) was an American social worker and photojournalist who worked for Life Magazine.
Early life and education
Kirkland was born and raised on a coconut plantation in Jamaica, the second child of Scot William Dixon and Brit Emma Elworthy.
His parents separated in 1905 and he moved to New York with his mother and sister in August 1905. Kirkland worked at a variety of jobs in New York and New Jersey. He was a pipe washer, a grocery store clerk and ran a Boy's Club at a YMCA. He was a graduate of George Williams College, studying social work. During World War I, Kirkland left school to travel to Texas where he assisted troops through the YMCA. He married Ethel Freeland on May 27, 1918.
Early career
Kirkland worked as a social worker after the war at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He returned to Chicago and completed his degree in sociology with a thesis on "Utilizing Gang Control in Boy's Work," which was informed by his own work from the YMCA at the Boys Club at Hull House. In 1922 the couple were invited by Jane Addams to live at Hull House. Ethel worked in the...