D. W. Griffith

David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948)[1] was an American director, writer, and producer who pioneered modern filmmaking techniques.

Griffith is best remembered for The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance (1916). The Birth of a Nation made use of advanced camera and narrative techniques, and its popularity set the stage for the dominance of the feature-length film in the United States.

Since its release, the film has sparked significant controversy surrounding race in the United States, focusing on its negative depiction of black people and the glorification of the Ku Klux Klan. Today, it is both noted for its radical technique and condemned for its inherently racist philosophy.

The film was subject to boycotts by the NAACP and, after screenings of the film had caused riots at several theaters, the film was censored in many cities, including New York City. Intolerance, his next film, was, in part, an answer to his critics.

• Born: January 22, 1875, Crestwood, Kentucky, United States
• Died: July 23, 1948, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, United States
• Height: 5′ 11″
• Buried: Mount Tabor Methodist Church Graveyard, Centerfield, Kentucky, Kentucky, United States
• Awards: Academy Honorary Award