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David Seymour

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description David Seymour Overview

David Seymour, operating under the moniker “Chim,” was a pivotal figure in twentieth-century photojournalism. He documented the profound human impact of World War II, primarily focusing on children displaced by conflict and the aftermath of war. A co-founder of Magnum Photos in 1947, his work remains significant for its direct humanist approach and contribution to documentary photography’s development. Seymour's images are studied by photographers, historians, and those interested in understanding wartime experiences.

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Why was David Seymour called Chim?

David Seymour was born Dawid Szymin in Warsaw in 1911, and Chim came from a shortened form of his surname. He later used the English name David Seymour while working internationally as a photojournalist.

What did Chim photograph for UNICEF after World War II?

In 1948 UNICEF sent Chim to document children affected by the war in Europe. His Children of Europe work showed displaced, orphaned, and traumatized children in countries including Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Greece.

Who founded Magnum Photos with David Seymour?

Seymour co-founded Magnum Photos in 1947 with Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and George Rodger. After Capa died in 1954, Chim became president of Magnum.

How did David Seymour die?

Chim was killed in 1956 while covering events after the Suez Crisis. He died near El Qantara in Egypt while traveling with French photographer Jean Roy.