
Photo: Donald G Vinton / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Reid Blackburn was born on August 11, 1952 in Washington, D.C., United States. Reid Blackburn was a photographer, photojournalist and journalist. Death is recorded on May 18, 1980, at the age of 27. Education on record includes Linfield University.
My Take
Reid Blackburn's story moves me more than any award ever could. A young photojournalist shooting the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption for The Columbian, National Geographic, and the U.S. Geological Survey, he was caught in the blast at Coldwater Camp and died at just 27. I think often about the conviction it takes to point a lens at danger in service of the truth. He gave his life trying to capture history in a single frame. To me he represents the quiet, fatal dedication at the heart of real journalism, and he deserves to be remembered.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Reid Blackburn
- Name (Japanese)
- リード・ブラックバーン
- Reading
- りーど・ぶらっくばーん
- Born
- August 11, 1952 – May 18, 1980
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Dragon
- Origin
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Occupation
- photographer / photojournalist / journalist
2. Background
- University
- Linfield University
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reid%20Blackburn
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3068540
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Reid Blackburn born?
Born August 11, 1952.
When did Reid Blackburn die?
Died May 18, 1980, aged 27.
Where was Reid Blackburn from?
Reid Blackburn was from Washington, D.C., United States.
What did Reid Blackburn do?
Reid Blackburn worked as photographer, photojournalist, journalist.
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