Dr. Richard Henry Fuhrmann was born in St. Louis on June 26, 1880, the son of Dr. Adam and Emma (Scheer) Fuhrmann. He was educated in the St. Louis public schools, Smith Academy, and Washington University School of Medicine, graduating in 1903 with an MD specializing in obstetrics. In 1919 he married Martha Miller, and their children included Richard, Mary Elaine, and Martha.

Fuhrmann was an avid amateur photographer and St. Louis historian. He maintained a photographic laboratory in his home as well as a large collection of glass negatives and lantern slides depicting historic St. Louis sites. These lantern slides were made from photographs Fuhrmann took himself or, more often, borrowed from the collection of his friend and photography mentor, Emil Boehl. Boehl (1839-1919) was a professional photographer in St. Louis throughout much of the mid-to-late nineteenth century.

Fuhrmann’s lantern slides were frequently displayed to the public at lectures he presented on St. Louis history. He joined the Scottish Rite in May 1904 and was a very active member, rising to its highest rank. After his death on December 20, 1937 he bequeathed his photographic collection including a projector, lantern slides, and negatives to the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Louis branch of the organization.