Burnham had also served as the chief architect for the World Columbian Exposition, basing the "White City" on gargantuan Greco-Roman architecture. Prior to 1892, he worked for the architectural firm of Burnham & Root.
Burnham was also commissioned by the U.S. Philippine Commission in 1904 to make plans for the then Colonial cities of Baguio and Manila. The 1905 Plan of Manila was submitted to the Commission.
Burnham may not have ever said the most famous quote associated with him, "Make no little plans. They have no magic to strike man's blood and probably will themselves not be realized." The quote, however, captures Burnham's architectural essence.