NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jack Thornell, a former Associated Press photographer whose Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a gravely wounded James Meredith became a defining image of the Civil Rights era, has passed away at 86 due to kidney disease complications. His son, Jay Thornell, confirmed the news Friday.
Thornell's remarkable career spanned from 1964 to 2004, during which he captured a diverse array of subjects including politics, natural disasters, and crime scenes. However, the Civil Rights Movement was a significant focus throughout his tenure with the AP. On his very first day at the New Orleans bureau, he reported on the integration of a school in Mississippi.
In June 1966, Thornell was assigned to cover Meredith's 'March Against Fear,' a crucial moment intended to empower Black citizens to register and vote. While photographing Meredith on U.S. Highway 51 in Mississippi, Thornell's camera caught the aftermath of a shocking moment when Meredith was shot. His well-known image depicts Meredith trying to move to safety, reminiscent of the violence faced during the struggle for civil rights.
Thornell's notable images extend beyond Meredith. He documented the burned car of civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman, and risked his safety to capture a local sheriff's arrest while under threat.
His photography also followed the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., including the historic Selma-to-Montgomery march in 1965. Thornell faced numerous challenges during this time; he recounted moments of fear and tension but remained committed to delivering the crucial photographs that told the story of the movement.
Jack Thornell is remembered not only for his incredible talent but also for his courage in capturing the reality of a transformative era in American history. He leaves behind a legacy of images that continue to resonate today.
Thornell's remarkable career spanned from 1964 to 2004, during which he captured a diverse array of subjects including politics, natural disasters, and crime scenes. However, the Civil Rights Movement was a significant focus throughout his tenure with the AP. On his very first day at the New Orleans bureau, he reported on the integration of a school in Mississippi.
In June 1966, Thornell was assigned to cover Meredith's 'March Against Fear,' a crucial moment intended to empower Black citizens to register and vote. While photographing Meredith on U.S. Highway 51 in Mississippi, Thornell's camera caught the aftermath of a shocking moment when Meredith was shot. His well-known image depicts Meredith trying to move to safety, reminiscent of the violence faced during the struggle for civil rights.
Thornell's notable images extend beyond Meredith. He documented the burned car of civil rights workers Michael Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman, and risked his safety to capture a local sheriff's arrest while under threat.
His photography also followed the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., including the historic Selma-to-Montgomery march in 1965. Thornell faced numerous challenges during this time; he recounted moments of fear and tension but remained committed to delivering the crucial photographs that told the story of the movement.
Jack Thornell is remembered not only for his incredible talent but also for his courage in capturing the reality of a transformative era in American history. He leaves behind a legacy of images that continue to resonate today.
