From Einstein to Couture, This 96-Year-Old Captured It All

Marilyn Stafford, who photographed the 20th century, finally gets recognition in the 21st.

Picture this: You’ve never really used a camera before, but there you are, zipping along in a car bound for Princeton, N.J., from New York City to take a portrait of the most famous physicist in the world: Albert Einstein.

That’s exactly what happened to Marilyn Stafford, and it marked the beginning of her unusual career.

Now 96, Ms. Stafford worked as a photographer for more than 50 years, in a career that took her to India, Bangladesh, Tunisia, London and Paris, capturing cutting-edge prêt-à-porter fashion; the realities of urban poverty; and the impact of conflict.