Daniel H. Burnham

"The Plan of Chicago of 1909, better known as the Burnham Plan (after its principal author, Daniel H. Burnham), is one of the most noted documents in the history of city planning. It has influenced not only how Chicagoans have shaped their city, but also how they have envisioned urban life," (Encyclopedia of Chicago).

An anonymous donor has given the Library a first edition of The Plan of Chicago, by Daniel H. Burnham and Edward H. Bennet. This book, printed in 1909, was the first complete plan of any city in American history. Only 1,650 copies were printed in the first edition.

Our copy is number 288. Fred Norlin, a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, was the first owner of copy #288. Fred Norlin was born in Sweden on March 4, 1865. He came to the United States in 1881, and worked in the firm of Greely & Howard & Co. until 1893. Mr. Norlin then opened his own surveying business.

Please come in to the library's history department (please make an appointment firstby calling 847-455-6016 or emailing Mark Johnson to view this exciting piece of Chicago history. To see more images from our copy of The Plan of Chicago please visit our Flickr page. The outstanding Encyclopedia of Chicago Online provides access to a full text online copy of the Plan of Chicago.