The Great Photographer Ansel Adams Writes a Passionate Letter Amidst the Political Turmoil of 1968, Saying He Has to Support Whoever the Democrat Nominee Is, Which He Assumes Will Be Robert Kennedy

He feels movingly that it is imperative to beat the Nixon-Wallace-Reagan Syndrome - “which represents the destruction of all we believe in and have worked for during most of our lives.”

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Adams is renowned as a landscape photographer and environmentalist, best remembered known for his black-and-white images of the American West.

Typed Letter Signed, May 1, 1968 to noted pianist Eugene Istomin, on his personal Carmel, California letterhead but noted as “en route, Rochester N.Y. “ “Your telegram of April 25th finally caught up...

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The Great Photographer Ansel Adams Writes a Passionate Letter Amidst the Political Turmoil of 1968, Saying He Has to Support Whoever the Democrat Nominee Is, Which He Assumes Will Be Robert Kennedy

He feels movingly that it is imperative to beat the Nixon-Wallace-Reagan Syndrome - “which represents the destruction of all we believe in and have worked for during most of our lives.”

Adams is renowned as a landscape photographer and environmentalist, best remembered known for his black-and-white images of the American West.

Typed Letter Signed, May 1, 1968 to noted pianist Eugene Istomin, on his personal Carmel, California letterhead but noted as “en route, Rochester N.Y. “ “Your telegram of April 25th finally caught up with me. I regret the delay in reply. I appreciate the invitation to join with you in support of Hubert Humphrey (who I admire tremendously). I must explain why at this time I cannot lend my support – much as I wish I could. I have given much time and energy to a real soul-searching on the waste-lands of ‘reality.’

“The political situation is extremely grave – probably the very worst in our entire history. I have consulted with wise and humane men who know far more about the situation than I could ever learn. I must take their advice and council. As they are liberals in the finest sense of the term I do not feel I am influenced towards ‘compromise’ in any way. We are confronted with a dire threat; the Nixon-Wallace-Reagan syndrome which represents the destruction of all we believe in and have worked for during most of our lives. If we have a ‘hot’ summer (which is probable) if we have an uncertain turn in world affairs and in the war, if we have an economic recession etc. it is certain that the conservatives will have a good chance of winning. The only way to counter this is to be SURE of a winning Democratic candidate. Kennedy seems to be the only one at this time who has this chance. I prefer Humphrey and McCarthy but I dare not split the vote. The N-W-R potential is too disastrous to contemplate!! I hope you understand my position. With warmest greetings and profound admiration of your spirit.”

Adams was not known for political activism, but was a devoted conservationist and perhaps saw conservatives as anti-nature. This moving letter is the first political letter of his we have found.

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