Daniel Burnham trained as an architect and in 1873 established his own firm with a partner, John W. Root. Their firm designed homes and public buildings, and became known for its high rise buildings, including one of the first American skyscrapers.

Beginning in 1890, Burnham and Root became deeply involved in the planning and development for World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, which was to be held in 1893. Burnham was made the chief of construction and orchestrated much of the construction and design of the Exposition, especially after Root died in 1891. He brought in a number of prominent architects and designers, and the Exposition was a tremendous success. After he was appointed Chairman of the Senate Park Commission, Burnham selected Charles McKim and Augustus Saint-Gaudens to join the commission; both men had worked with Burnham on the Columbian Exposition.

Following his work on the Senate Park Commission, Burnham worked on city design, becoming a major proponent of the "City Beautiful Movement." President Taft appointed him the chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts in 1910, a group whose purpose was to advise the federal government on arts issues. Burnham died in 1912 in Germany during his seventh tour of Europe.