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{{Short description|American photojournalist}}
{{close paraphrasing|date=March 2013}}{{Infobox person
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
| honorific_prefix =
{{Infobox person
| name = William G. Biggart | name = William G. Biggart
| honorific_suffix = | image = Bill Biggart.jpg
| native_name = | image_size =
| native_name_lang = | alt =
⚫ | caption =
| image = <!-- just the name, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing ] -->
| image_size = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1947|07|20}}
| alt = | birth_place = ], ]
⚫ | caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|07|20}}
| birth_place = Berlin, Germany
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|09|11|1947|07|20}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|09|11|1947|07|20}}
| death_place = New York City | death_place = ], ], ], U.S
| death_cause = Injuries sustained from the collapse of the ] during the ]
| death_cause = terrorism; fallen debris
| body_discovered = September 15, 2001 | body_discovered = September 15, 2001
| resting_place = | resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates = {{coord|40|42|42.1|N|74|0|49.0|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | resting_place_coordinates = {{coord|40|42|42.1|N|74|0|49.0|W|region:US-NY_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| monuments = World Trade Center site<br />(New York City), Panel S-66 National September 11 Memorial | monuments = ] – South Pool, Panel S-66
| residence = New York City | education =
| nationality = | alma_mater =
| other_names = | occupation = ]<br>Photographer
| ethnicity = Irish-American<ref name=irish>{{cite news|first=Conor |last=O'Clery |newspaper=]|title=The parting shot |date=2001-12-22 |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2001/1222/01122200163.html}}</ref> | years_active = 1985—2001<ref name=Newsweek>{{cite news |first=Jerry |last=Adler |title=Shooting To the End |newspaper=] |date=October 1, 2001|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2001/10/14/shooting-to-the-end.html |access-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513081638/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2001/10/14/shooting-to-the-end.html |archive-date=May 13, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| citizenship = | employer = Impact Visuals
| education = | known_for =
| alma_mater =
| occupation =
| years_active = since 1985<ref name=Newsweek>{{cite news|first=Jerry |last=Adler |title=Shooting To the End|newspaper=] |date=2001-10-15|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2001/10/14/shooting-to-the-end.html}}</ref>
| employer = Impact Visuals, agency
| organization =
| agent =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| style =
| influences = ], the civil war photographer
| influenced =
| home_town =
| salary =
| net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| height = <!-- {{height|m=}} -->
| weight = <!-- {{convert|weight in kg|kg|lb}} -->
| television =
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| religion = Roman Catholic<ref name=irish/><ref name=friend>{{cite news|first1=Carol |last1=Hay |first2=Tom |last2=McKitterick|title=Remembering a friend| newspaper=]|date=2001-09-09}}</ref>
| denomination = <!-- Denomination should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| criminal_charge = <!-- Criminality parameters should be supported with citations from reliable sources -->
| criminal_penalty =
| criminal_status =
| spouse = Wendy Doremus | spouse = Wendy Doremus
| partner = | partner =
| children = 3<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=irish>{{cite news|first=Conor |last=O'Clery |newspaper=]|title=The parting shot |date=December 2, 2001|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2001/1222/01122200163.html}} {{Subscription required}}</ref>
| children = William Biggart Jr (first marriage) and Kate and Peter Biggart (second marriage)<ref name=irish/><ref name=Newsweek/>
| parents = | parents =
| relatives = | awards =
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| website = {{URL|www.billbiggart.com}} | website = {{URL|www.billbiggart.com}}
| footnotes = | footnotes =
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}} }}
'''William G. Biggart''' (July 20, 1947 &ndash; September 11, 2001) was an ] freelance ] and a ], notable for his street-view photographs of the event before being killed by the collapse of the ]'s North Tower and for being the only photojournalist covering the event to be killed in the attacks.<ref name=irish /><ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=DallasNews>{{cite news|last=DeLuca |first=Louis |date=2012-09-11 |url=http://photographyblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/see-the-final-photos-by-bill-biggart-eyewitness-to-911-killed-in-the-attack.html/ |title=See the final photos by Bill Biggart, eyewitness to 9/11, killed in the attack"|newspaper=]}}</ref> '''William G. Biggart''' (July 20, 1947 – September 11, 2001) was an American<ref name=irish/> freelance ] and a victim of the ], notable for his street-view photographs of the event before being killed by the collapse of the ]'s ]. He was the only professional photographer to be killed while covering the attacks.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=irish/><ref name=DallasNews>{{cite news |last=DeLuca |first=Louis |date=September 1, 2012|url=http://photographyblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/see-the-final-photos-by-bill-biggart-eyewitness-to-911-killed-in-the-attack.html/ |title=See the final photos by Bill Biggart, eyewitness to 9/11, killed in the attack |newspaper=] |access-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530023420/http://photographyblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/see-the-final-photos-by-bill-biggart-eyewitness-to-911-killed-in-the-attack.html/ |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On 15 September 2001, Biggart's remains were discovered along with a bag containing his three cameras and the ] card from which his last photographs were recovered. The photos were used in the 15 October 2001 issue of '']''.<ref name=Newsweek /><ref name="cbsnews">{{cite news| first=Rome last=Neal |title=Bill Biggart: Final Exposures |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/05/september11/main520940.shtml | publisher=]|date=2002-09-06}}</ref><ref name=ifex>{{cite news|title=At Pakistan/Afghanistan Border; Journalist Among Dead and Media Workers Missing |publisher=IFEX.org |date=2001-09-25|url=http://www.ifex.org/2001/09/25/at_pakistan_afghanistan_border/ }}</ref><ref name=straitstimes /> His photographs from 9/11 were exhibited at the ] and the Smithsonian's ].<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name=nydailynews>{{cite news|first=Celia |last=McGee |title=Capturing History: Photo exhibits show the way the terrorist attacks and their aftermath was documented |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=2002-09-08|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/capturing-history-photo-exhibits-show-terrorist-attacks-aftermath-documented-article-1.508526}}</ref><ref name=nytsmithsonian>{{cite news|title=Smithsonian Is Planning 9/11 Exhibit |newspaper=]|date=2002-08-03|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/03/us/smithsonian-is-planning-9-11-exhibit.html}}</ref> They have also been preserved on the Internet by '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0111/biggart01.htm |title=Bill Biggart's Final Exposures |work=]|date=January 2011}}</ref> On September 15, 2001, four days after the attacks, Biggart's remains were discovered along with a bag containing his three cameras and the ] card from which his last photographs were recovered. The photos were used in the October 15, 2001, issue of '']''.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name="cbsnews">{{cite news| first=Rome|last=Neal |title=Bill Biggart: Final Exposures |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bill-biggart-final-exposures/ | publisher=]|date=September 6, 2002 | url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121164109/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/05/september11/main520940.shtml |archive-date=November 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=ifex>{{cite news |title=At Pakistan/Afghanistan Border; Journalist Among Dead and Media Workers Missing |publisher=IFEX.org |date=September 2, 2001|url=http://www.ifex.org/2001/09/25/at_pakistan_afghanistan_border/ |access-date=March 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912072321/http://www.ifex.org/2001/09/25/at_pakistan_afghanistan_border/ |archive-date=September 12, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=straitstimes /> His photographs from 9/11 were exhibited at the ] and the Smithsonian's ].<ref name="cbsnews"/><ref name=nydailynews>{{cite news|first=Celia|last=McGee|title=Capturing History: Photo exhibits show the way the terrorist attacks and their aftermath was documented|newspaper=]|location=Daily News|date=September 8, 2002|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/capturing-history-photo-exhibits-show-terrorist-attacks-aftermath-documented-article-1.508526|access-date=March 1, 2013|archive-date=September 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912105117/http://www.nydailynews.com/capturing-history-photo-exhibits-show-terrorist-attacks-aftermath-documented-article-1.508526|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=nytsmithsonian>{{cite news|title=Smithsonian Is Planning 9/11 Exhibit|newspaper=]|date=August 3, 2002|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/03/us/smithsonian-is-planning-9-11-exhibit.html|access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207223541/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/03/us/smithsonian-is-planning-9-11-exhibit.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They have also been preserved on the Internet by '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0111/biggart01.htm|title = Bill Biggart's Final Exposures|work = ]|date = January 2011|access-date = August 18, 2010|archive-date = February 21, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100221212238/http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0111/biggart01.htm|url-status = live}}</ref>

Bill Biggart was not the only media-related death or photojournalist to die from the attack on the World Trade Center. According to the International Federation of Journalists, which counts both journalists and media workers, there were eight media-related deaths as a result of the September 11 attacks in New York City and another photojournalist was on one of the airplanes used in the attack.<ref name=CBS2001>{{cite news|title=100 Journalists Killed In 2001 |publisher=CBS News |date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2011-03-01 |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-202_162-321563.html}}</ref><ref name=ifex />


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
As a child of an American officer stationed in Germany, Bill Biggart was born in Berlin in 1947. Biggart was one of 12 siblings in his Irish-Catholic family.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=nytimesportrait>{{cite news|title=Parties, Love Notes and Other Small Memories That Now Loom Large |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2001-09-18}}</ref><ref name=GUP>{{cite web|last=Van der Lingen |first=Suzanne |date= |url=http://www.gupmagazine.com/blog/59-bill-biggart-9-slash-11 |title=Bill Biggart: 9/11 |publisher=GUP magazine}}</ref> As an adult, he moved into a loft in Lower Manhattan, New York City, about the same time that the WTC was opening in the 1970s.<ref name=friend/> A child of an American officer stationed in Germany, Bill Biggart was born in Berlin in 1947. Biggart was one of 12 siblings in his Irish-Catholic family.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=nytimesportrait>{{cite news|title=Parties, Love Notes and Other Small Memories That Now Loom Large |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 1, 2001}}</ref><ref name=GUP>{{cite web |last=Van der Lingen |first=Suzanne |date= |url=http://www.gupmagazine.com/blog/59-bill-biggart-9-slash-11 |title=Bill Biggart: 9/11 |publisher=GUP magazine |access-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709051146/http://www.gupmagazine.com/blog/59-bill-biggart-9-slash-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As an adult, he moved into a loft in Lower Manhattan, New York City, about the same time that the WTC was opening in the 1970s.<ref name=friend>{{cite news|first1=Carol |last1=Hay |first2=Tom |last2=McKitterick|title=Remembering a friend| newspaper=]|date=September 9, 2001}}</ref>


Biggart was married twice and had three children. He had one son from his first marriage. Biggart's second wife was Wendy Doremus, and they had two children.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=irish/> Biggart was married twice and had three children. He had one son from his first marriage. Biggart's second wife was Wendy Doremus, and they had two children.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=irish/>


==Career== ==Career==
Biggart began his career as a commercial photographer.<ref name=Newsweek/> While a commercial photographer, he began to pursue his interest in spot news photography and was at ] to photograph the 1973 event.<ref name=about /> As a commercial photographer, he would sometimes take jobs for theater productions.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mel |last=Gussow |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Stage: 'Mens Room' |date=1982-11-30}}</ref> With a passion for news, he transitioned to photojournalism in 1985.<ref name="cbsnews" /><ref name=GUP/> His photojournalism credits are found in the international stories he covered in the ] and ] in 1988,<ref>{{cite news|first1=George D. |last1=Moffett III |first2=Ned |last2=Temko |title=Crisis of leadership besets troubled Israel |newspaper=]|date=1988-04-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ned |last=Temko |title=Palestinian-Israeli war shifts to verbal front, but still at stalemate |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=1988-04-28}}</ref> ], and the first gulf war.<ref name=Newsweek /><ref name=nytimesportrait /><ref name=GUP /> He was also frequently credited for photographs that captured news events closer to his home in New York City, such as a NYC subway shot of "subway vigilante" ],<ref name=Newsweek/><ref>{{cite news|first=Victoria |last=Irwin |title=New Yorkers have much to ponder after Goetz trial |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=1987-06-18}}</ref> Howard Beach,<ref name=nytimesportrait/> or the 1989 funeral of ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Sam |last=Roberts |title=Once Again, Racism Proves to Be Fatal In New York City |newspaper=The New York Times |date=1989-09-03 |section=The Week in Review |page=Section 4; Page 6, Column 1 ||date=1989-09-03}}</ref> He was also present in Berlin to photograph the ] of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.<ref name=GUP/><ref name=about /> Biggart started out as a commercial photographer<ref name=Newsweek/> and he soon began to pursue an interest in spot news photography. He was at ] to photograph the 1973 ].<ref name=about /> He would also sometimes take jobs for theater productions.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mel |last=Gussow |newspaper=The New York Times |title=Stage: 'Mens Room' |date=November 3, 1982}}</ref> With a passion for news, he transitioned to photojournalism in 1985.<ref name="cbsnews" /><ref name=GUP/> His photojournalism credits are found in the international stories he covered in the ] and Israel in 1988,<ref>{{cite news|first1=George D. |last1=Moffett III |first2=Ned |last2=Temko |title=Crisis of leadership besets troubled Israel |newspaper=]|date=April 2, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Ned |last=Temko |title=Palestinian-Israeli war shifts to verbal front, but still at stalemate |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=April 2, 1988}}</ref> ], and the first ].<ref name=Newsweek /><ref name=nytimesportrait /><ref name=GUP /> He was also frequently credited for photographs that captured news events closer to his home in New York City, such as a NYC subway shot of "subway vigilante" ],<ref name=Newsweek/><ref>{{cite news|first=Victoria |last=Irwin |title=New Yorkers have much to ponder after Goetz trial |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |date=June 1, 1987}}</ref> Howard Beach,<ref name=nytimesportrait/> or the 1989 funeral of ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Sam |last=Roberts |title=Once Again, Racism Proves to Be Fatal In New York City |newspaper=The New York Times |page=The Week in Review (Section 4) page 6, column 1 |date=September 3, 1989}}</ref> He was also present in Berlin to photograph the ] in November 1989.<ref name=GUP/><ref name=about />


Biggart began working for the Impact Visuals photo news agency in 1988 and he continued to work there until he was killed.<ref name=Newsweek /><ref name=ifex /><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Editorial Photographyers United Kingdom and Ireland|title=Bill Biggart killed at World Trade Centre |date=2001-09-18}}</ref> He also worked as a freelance photographer for Reuters, Agence France Press, and Sipa Press.<ref name=about>{{cite web|title=About Bill |publisher=Bill Biggart, Photographer, 1947-2001|accessdate=2013-02-28 |url=http://www.billbiggart.com/about.html}}</ref> His work appeared in the '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name=ifex /><ref name=about /> Biggart began working for the Impact Visuals photo news agency in 1988 and he continued to work there until he was killed.<ref name=Newsweek /><ref name=ifex /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epuk.org/news/bill-biggart-killed-at-world-trade-centre |title=Bill Biggart killed at World Trade Centre |date=September 1, 2001 |website=Editorial Photographyers United Kingdom & Ireland |access-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-date=August 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824134933/http://www.epuk.org/news/bill-biggart-killed-at-world-trade-centre |url-status=live }}</ref> He also worked as a freelance photographer for ], ], and ].<ref name=about>{{cite web |title=About Bill |publisher=Bill Biggart, photographer, 1947–2001 |accessdate=February 28, 2013 |url=http://www.billbiggart.com/about.html |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620152529/http://www.billbiggart.com/about.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> His work appeared in '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref name=ifex /><ref name=about />


===On September 11, 2001=== ===September 11 attacks===
]'s South Pool, along with those of other passengers of Flight 77.]] ]'s South Pool, along with those of passengers of Flight 77.]]
On the morning of September 11, 2011, a passing taxi driver alerted Biggart to the fact that a plane had just crashed into the ].<ref name=OfficialSite>. Bill Biggart: Photographer. Retrieved March 1, 2013.</ref> A "news junkie", according to those who were close to him,<ref name=friend/> Biggart ran to his apartment near ], grabbed three cameras (two film, one digital) and began walking the two miles toward the center,<ref name=OfficialSite/> where fire trucks were located,<ref name=Newsweek/> shooting photographs along the way,<ref name=OfficialSite/> including digital, color film and slide images.<ref name=straitstimes/> He eventually found himself at the World Trade Center shooting the Twin Towers as they burned, and continued taking photos after the first tower, the South Tower, collapsed. His wife called Biggart on his cell phone shortly after the first tower's collapse. Biggart told her he was with the firemen and safe, and he would meet her in 20 minutes.<ref name=OfficialSite/> On the morning of September 11, 2001, a passing taxi driver alerted Biggart to the fact that a plane had just crashed into the ].<ref>van der Lingen, Suzanne (September 6, 2011). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709051146/http://www.gupmagazine.com/blog/59-bill-biggart-9-slash-11 |date=July 9, 2013 }}. ''GUP'' magazine.</ref><ref name=OfficialSite> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620151904/http://www.billbiggart.com/911.html |date=June 20, 2013 }}. Bill Biggart: Photographer. Retrieved March 1, 2013.</ref> A "news junkie", according to those who were close to him,<ref name=friend/> Biggart ran to his apartment near ], grabbed three cameras (two film, one digital) and began walking the two miles toward the center,<ref name=OfficialSite/> where fire trucks were located,<ref name=Newsweek/> shooting photographs along the way,<ref name=OfficialSite/> including digital, color film and slide images.<ref name=straitstimes/> He eventually found himself at the World Trade Center shooting the Twin Towers as they burned, and continued taking photos after the South Tower collapsed. His wife called Biggart on his cell phone shortly after the first tower's collapse. According to her, Biggart said he was with the firemen and safe, and he would meet her in 20 minutes.<ref name=OfficialSite/>


Another photographer, Bolivar Arellano of the '']'', observed that Biggart was photographing the second tower before it fell, and that Biggart was closer than any other photographer, and closer than Arellano felt was safe.<ref>{{cite book|last=Friend|first=David|title=Watching the world change: The stories behind the images of 9/11|year=2007|publisher=IB Tauris|location=New York|page=17-20|url=http://books.google.de/books?id=0ZeW0Hs7dOgC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=Biggart+%22Impact+Visuals%22&source=bl&ots=71J3Bgo4Tu&sig=mqKon6Jq11GZddAu4s9vLjNtz4w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tOwvUb2sCY-o0AWbuYCwAg&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=Biggart%20%22Impact%20Visuals%22&f=false}}</ref> Bill Biggart took his last photo at 10:28:24 am EST,<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=straitstimes>{{cite news|first=Nilanjana |last=Sengupta |title=Snapshots of a disaster |newspaper=]|date=2011-09-10}}</ref><ref name=GUP/> about twenty minutes after his phone call with his wife.<ref name=Newsweek /> At 10:28 am, the North Tower collapsed.<ref name="WPCollapse">{{Cite news|first=Bill |last=Miller |title=Report Assesses Trade Center's Collapse |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11614-2002Apr30?language=printer|newspaper=]|date=May 1, 2002}}</ref> The falling debris from the tower killed Biggart.<ref name=DallasNews/> His last photograph was presented as a highlight of the 2002 exhibit at the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=2002 Exhibition Highlights |publisher=]|url=http://amhistory.si.edu/september11/exhibition/|accessdate=2013-03-01}}</ref> In the days following the tower's collapse, Biggart reported among the missing, and his wife searched for him at news agencies and in the hospitals.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jennifer |last=Lin |title=As hopes fade, aching sorrow sets in; Passersby memorialize the fallen on the hulk of a charred fire truck |newspaper=]|date=2001-09-14|url=http://articles.philly.com/2001-09-14/news/25312673_1_fire-truck-body-bags-morgue/2}}</ref> Four days later his body and his camera equipment was recovered under the debris.<ref name="cbsnews"/> Another photographer, Bolivar Arellano of the '']'', observed that Biggart was photographing the second tower before it fell, and that Biggart was closer than any other photographer, and closer than Arellano felt was safe.<ref>{{cite book|last=Friend|first=David|title=Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11|year=2007|publisher=IB Tauris|location=New York|pages=17–20|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZeW0Hs7dOgC&pg=PA18|isbn=9781845115456|access-date=September 15, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013145725/https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZeW0Hs7dOgC&pg=PA18|url-status=live}}</ref> Bill Biggart took his last photo at 10:28:24&nbsp;a.m. ],<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=straitstimes>{{cite news|first=Nilanjana |last=Sengupta |author-link=Nilanjana Sengupta (author) |title=Snapshots of a disaster |newspaper=]|date=September 1, 2011}}</ref><ref name=GUP/> about 20 minutes after his phone call with his wife.<ref name=Newsweek/> At 10:28&nbsp;a.m., the North Tower collapsed.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Bill |last=Miller |title=Report Assesses Trade Center's Collapse |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11614-2002Apr30?language=printer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820092441/http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A11614-2002Apr30?language=printer|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2011|newspaper=]|date=May 1, 2002}}</ref> Falling debris from the tower killed him.<ref name=DallasNews/> His last photograph was presented as a highlight of the 2002 exhibit at the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=2002 Exhibition Highlights|publisher=]|url=http://amhistory.si.edu/september11/exhibition/highlights.asp|accessdate=March 1, 2013|archive-date=December 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215064546/http://amhistory.si.edu/september11/exhibition/highlights.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> In the days following the tower's collapse, Biggart was reported among the missing. His wife searched for him at news agencies and hospitals.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jennifer |last=Lin |title=As hopes fade, aching sorrow sets in; Passersby memorialize the fallen on the hulk of a charred fire truck |newspaper=] |date=September 1, 2001 |url=http://articles.philly.com/2001-09-14/news/25312673_1_fire-truck-body-bags-morgue/2 |access-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411151759/http://articles.philly.com/2001-09-14/news/25312673_1_fire-truck-body-bags-morgue/2 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Four days later, his remains and camera equipment were recovered from the tower debris.<ref name="cbsnews"/>


Biggart took over 300 photographs of the event,<ref name=Newsweek/> 154 of which Biggart's friend, photographer Chip East, was able to recover from Biggart's digital storage devices, and which have become part of the exhibits of Biggart's most well-known photographs.<ref name=irish/><ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=nytsmithsonian/> Biggart took over 300 photographs of the event,<ref name=Newsweek/> 154 of which were recovered from Biggart's digital storage devices by Biggart's friend, photographer Chip East. Biggart’s photos have been included in various exhibits and are his most well-known photographs.<ref name=Newsweek/><ref name=irish/><ref name=nytsmithsonian/>


==Memorials== ==Memorials==
*Biggart's name was added to the The Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dorothy |last=Ho |title=Newseum Honors Bill Biggart, Who Died Covering WTC Attack|publisher=Film Journal|date=2001-10-10|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/pdn/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1991209}}</ref> *Biggart's name was added to The Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dorothy|last=Ho|title=Newseum Honors Bill Biggart, Who Died Covering WTC Attack|publisher=Film Journal|date=October 1, 2001|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/pdn/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1991209|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222053532/http://www.filmjournal.com/pdn/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1991209|archivedate=February 22, 2014}}</ref>
*At the ], Biggart is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-66.<ref>. Memorial Guide: National 9/11 Memorial. Retrieved October 28, 2011.</ref>{{-}} *At the ], Biggart is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-66.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727095710/http://names.911memorial.org/#lang=en_US&page=person&id=4839 |date=July 27, 2013}}. Memorial Guide: ]. Retrieved May 3, 2015.</ref>{{-}}


==Creative works== ==Creative works==
* ''Ireland: A Week in the Life of A Nation'' (1986 U.K.) * ''Ireland: A Week in the Life of A Nation'' (1986 U.K.)
* ''Running Towards Danger: Stories Behind the Breaking News of 9/11'' (2002, Newseum) * ''Running Towards Danger: Stories Behind the Breaking News of 9/11'' (2002, Newseum)


==Exhibits== ==Exhibits==
* ''Aftermath: Reflections on The Anniversary of September 11, Bill Biggart: Final Exposures'', International Center of Photography, New York City, 2002.<ref name=nydailynews/> *''Aftermath: Reflections on The Anniversary of September 11, Bill Biggart: Final Exposures'', International Center of Photography, New York City, 2002.<ref name=nydailynews/>
* ''Bearing Witness to History'', Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C., 2002.<ref name=nytsmithsonian /> *''Bearing Witness to History'', Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C., 2002.<ref name=nytsmithsonian />
* Bill Biggart's cameras from 9/11 are on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., April 11, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|first=Deborah K. |last=Dietsch |title=Newseum completes avenue revitalization |newspaper=]|date=2008-04-05}}</ref> *Bill Biggart's cameras from 9/11 are on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., April 11, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|first=Deborah K. |last=Dietsch |title=Newseum completes avenue revitalization |newspaper=]|date=April 5, 2008}}</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
*]
* ] *]
*]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category}} {{Commons category|Bill Biggart}}
* - includes many of his September 11 photos.
* *
* *


{{authority control}}{{Casualties of the September 11 attacks}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Biggart, Bill}}
{{Persondata
| NAME = Biggart, Bill
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American photojournalist
| DATE OF BIRTH = July 20, 1947
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Berlin, Germany
| DATE OF DEATH = September 11, 2001
| PLACE OF DEATH = New York City
}}
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Latest revision as of 04:57, 11 January 2025

American photojournalist

William G. Biggart
Born(1947-07-20)July 20, 1947
Berlin, Germany
DiedSeptember 11, 2001(2001-09-11) (aged 54)
World Trade Center, New York City, New York, U.S
Cause of deathInjuries sustained from the collapse of the North Tower during the September 11 attacks
Body discoveredSeptember 15, 2001
Resting place40°42′42.1″N 74°0′49.0″W / 40.711694°N 74.013611°W / 40.711694; -74.013611
MonumentsNational September 11 Memorial & Museum – South Pool, Panel S-66
Occupation(s)Photojournalist
Photographer
Years active1985—2001
EmployerImpact Visuals
SpouseWendy Doremus
Children3
Websitewww.billbiggart.com

William G. Biggart (July 20, 1947 – September 11, 2001) was an American freelance photojournalist and a victim of the September 11 attacks, notable for his street-view photographs of the event before being killed by the collapse of the World Trade Center's North Tower. He was the only professional photographer to be killed while covering the attacks.

On September 15, 2001, four days after the attacks, Biggart's remains were discovered along with a bag containing his three cameras and the CompactFlash card from which his last photographs were recovered. The photos were used in the October 15, 2001, issue of Newsweek. His photographs from 9/11 were exhibited at the International Center of Photography and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. They have also been preserved on the Internet by The Digital Journalist.

Personal life

A child of an American officer stationed in Germany, Bill Biggart was born in Berlin in 1947. Biggart was one of 12 siblings in his Irish-Catholic family. As an adult, he moved into a loft in Lower Manhattan, New York City, about the same time that the WTC was opening in the 1970s.

Biggart was married twice and had three children. He had one son from his first marriage. Biggart's second wife was Wendy Doremus, and they had two children.

Career

Biggart started out as a commercial photographer and he soon began to pursue an interest in spot news photography. He was at Wounded Knee to photograph the 1973 incident. He would also sometimes take jobs for theater productions. With a passion for news, he transitioned to photojournalism in 1985. His photojournalism credits are found in the international stories he covered in the West Bank and Israel in 1988, Northern Ireland, and the first Gulf War. He was also frequently credited for photographs that captured news events closer to his home in New York City, such as a NYC subway shot of "subway vigilante" Bernhard Goetz, Howard Beach, or the 1989 funeral of Yusuf Hawkins. He was also present in Berlin to photograph the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989.

Biggart began working for the Impact Visuals photo news agency in 1988 and he continued to work there until he was killed. He also worked as a freelance photographer for Reuters, Agence France Press, and Sipa Press. His work appeared in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Village Voice and The City Sun.

September 11 attacks

Biggart's name is located on Panel S-66 of the National September 11 Memorial's South Pool, along with those of passengers of Flight 77.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, a passing taxi driver alerted Biggart to the fact that a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. A "news junkie", according to those who were close to him, Biggart ran to his apartment near Union Square, grabbed three cameras (two film, one digital) and began walking the two miles toward the center, where fire trucks were located, shooting photographs along the way, including digital, color film and slide images. He eventually found himself at the World Trade Center shooting the Twin Towers as they burned, and continued taking photos after the South Tower collapsed. His wife called Biggart on his cell phone shortly after the first tower's collapse. According to her, Biggart said he was with the firemen and safe, and he would meet her in 20 minutes.

Another photographer, Bolivar Arellano of the New York Post, observed that Biggart was photographing the second tower before it fell, and that Biggart was closer than any other photographer, and closer than Arellano felt was safe. Bill Biggart took his last photo at 10:28:24 a.m. EST, about 20 minutes after his phone call with his wife. At 10:28 a.m., the North Tower collapsed. Falling debris from the tower killed him. His last photograph was presented as a highlight of the 2002 exhibit at the National Museum of American History. In the days following the tower's collapse, Biggart was reported among the missing. His wife searched for him at news agencies and hospitals. Four days later, his remains and camera equipment were recovered from the tower debris.

Biggart took over 300 photographs of the event, 154 of which were recovered from Biggart's digital storage devices by Biggart's friend, photographer Chip East. Biggart’s photos have been included in various exhibits and are his most well-known photographs.

Memorials

  • Biggart's name was added to The Freedom Forum Journalists Memorial at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., in 2001.
  • At the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Biggart is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-66.

Creative works

  • Ireland: A Week in the Life of A Nation (1986 U.K.)
  • Running Towards Danger: Stories Behind the Breaking News of 9/11 (2002, Newseum)

Exhibits

  • Aftermath: Reflections on The Anniversary of September 11, Bill Biggart: Final Exposures, International Center of Photography, New York City, 2002.
  • Bearing Witness to History, Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C., 2002.
  • Bill Biggart's cameras from 9/11 are on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., April 11, 2008.

See also

References

  1. ^ Adler, Jerry (October 1, 2001). "Shooting To the End". Newsweek. Archived from the original on May 13, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  2. ^ O'Clery, Conor (December 2, 2001). "The parting shot". The Irish Times. (subscription required)
  3. ^ DeLuca, Louis (September 1, 2012). "See the final photos by Bill Biggart, eyewitness to 9/11, killed in the attack". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  4. ^ Neal, Rome (September 6, 2002). "Bill Biggart: Final Exposures". CBS News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010.
  5. ^ "At Pakistan/Afghanistan Border; Journalist Among Dead and Media Workers Missing". IFEX.org. September 2, 2001. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  6. ^ Sengupta, Nilanjana (September 1, 2011). "Snapshots of a disaster". The Straits Times.
  7. ^ McGee, Celia (September 8, 2002). "Capturing History: Photo exhibits show the way the terrorist attacks and their aftermath was documented". Daily News. Daily News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  8. ^ "Smithsonian Is Planning 9/11 Exhibit". The New York Times. August 3, 2002. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  9. "Bill Biggart's Final Exposures". The Digital Journalist. January 2011. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
  10. ^ "Parties, Love Notes and Other Small Memories That Now Loom Large". The New York Times. September 1, 2001.
  11. ^ Van der Lingen, Suzanne. "Bill Biggart: 9/11". GUP magazine. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  12. ^ Hay, Carol; McKitterick, Tom (September 9, 2001). "Remembering a friend". Toronto Star.
  13. ^ "About Bill". Bill Biggart, photographer, 1947–2001. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  14. Gussow, Mel (November 3, 1982). "Stage: 'Mens Room'". The New York Times.
  15. Moffett III, George D.; Temko, Ned (April 2, 1988). "Crisis of leadership besets troubled Israel". The Christian Science Monitor.
  16. Temko, Ned (April 2, 1988). "Palestinian-Israeli war shifts to verbal front, but still at stalemate". The Christian Science Monitor.
  17. Irwin, Victoria (June 1, 1987). "New Yorkers have much to ponder after Goetz trial". The Christian Science Monitor.
  18. Roberts, Sam (September 3, 1989). "Once Again, Racism Proves to Be Fatal In New York City". The New York Times. p. The Week in Review (Section 4) page 6, column 1.
  19. "Bill Biggart killed at World Trade Centre". Editorial Photographyers United Kingdom & Ireland. September 1, 2001. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  20. van der Lingen, Suzanne (September 6, 2011). "Bill Biggart: 9/11" Archived July 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. GUP magazine.
  21. ^ "September 11th" Archived June 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Bill Biggart: Photographer. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  22. Friend, David (2007). Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11. New York: IB Tauris. pp. 17–20. ISBN 9781845115456. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  23. Miller, Bill (May 1, 2002). "Report Assesses Trade Center's Collapse". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011.
  24. "2002 Exhibition Highlights". National Museum of American History. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  25. Lin, Jennifer (September 1, 2001). "As hopes fade, aching sorrow sets in; Passersby memorialize the fallen on the hulk of a charred fire truck". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  26. Ho, Dorothy (October 1, 2001). "Newseum Honors Bill Biggart, Who Died Covering WTC Attack". Film Journal. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
  27. William G. Biggart Archived July 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Memorial Guide: National 9/11 Memorial. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  28. Dietsch, Deborah K. (April 5, 2008). "Newseum completes avenue revitalization". The Washington Times.

External links

Casualties of the September 11 attacks
North Tower
South Tower
The Pentagon
American Airlines Flight 11
United Airlines Flight 175
American Airlines Flight 77
United Airlines Flight 93
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