Shirlie Alice Montgomery

Place: San Jose

Born: 1918

Death: 2012

Biography:

Shirlie Montgomery was a native and life long resident of San Jose, California. She was the grandniece of T. S. Montgomery, an early real estate developer in the local community. Montgomery was a pioneer and trailblazer, a professional photographer who specialized in photographing professional wrestling in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. She led a colorful life and her love of photography, sports, and journalistic photography lent her a unique eye on history. She captured post World War II culture in Santa Clara Valley and her work is now preserved in the California Digital Library. She was also known for her groundbreaking photography of San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley.