Tommy Langston: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Trailways mob.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Langston's photo from the attack on Freedom Riders on May 14, 1961]] | [[Image:Trailways mob.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Langston's photo from the attack on Freedom Riders on May 14, 1961]] | ||
'''Tommy Langston''' (born | '''Thomas Early "Tommy" Langston''' (born [[August 23]], [[1924]]; died [[October 24]], [[2013]]) was a photographer for the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]''. | ||
On Mother's Day, Sunday, [[May 14]], [[1961]], a Trailways bus from Atlanta with [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] on board arrived at the [[Birmingham Trailways Station]] where the Riders were accosted by [[Ku Klux Klan]] members and [[National States Rights Party]] militants. Langston was at [[Acton's Camera Store]] near the station. He caught wind of the commotion and snapped an infamous photograph of the mob in action. His flash attracted the Klansmen's attention, however, and Langston fled as far as the parking lot before he was caught, his camera smashed, and he was beaten. Langston then managed to make it back to the newspaper. His camera was subsequently recovered with the film still intact. | Langston grew up in [[Centreville]], graduating from [[Bibb County High School]]. During [[World War II]], he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After the way, he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from the [[University of Alabama]]. His passion, however, was photography and he became a news photographer for the ''Birmingham Post-Herald'' around [[1951]]. He and Tommie were married in [[1959]]. | ||
On Mother's Day, Sunday, [[May 14]], [[1961]], a Trailways bus from Atlanta with [[Freedom Rides|Freedom Riders]] on board arrived at the [[Birmingham Trailways Station]] where the Riders were accosted by [[Ku Klux Klan]] members and [[National States Rights Party]] militants. Langston was at [[Acton's Camera Store]] near the station. He caught wind of the commotion, made his way there, and snapped an infamous photograph of the mob in action. His flash attracted the Klansmen's attention, however, and Langston fled as far as the parking lot before he was caught, his camera smashed, and he was beaten. Langston then managed to make it back to the newspaper. His camera was subsequently recovered with the film still intact. | |||
The photo was published five-columns wide in the next morning's paper and attracted national attention because it showed FBI informant [[Gary Thomas Rowe]] in the violent mob. It was one of the first times the [[Birmingham]] [[Civil Rights Movement]] got significant local coverage. The photo was then picked up by wire services and appeared around the world. In Japan, it embarrassed businessman and segregationist [[Sidney Smyer]] in front of the [[Rotary International|International Rotary Club]]. He returned to Birmingham and began working to remove Public Safety Commissioner [[Bull Connor]], who had kept the [[Birmingham Police Department]] away during the attack, from office. | The photo was published five-columns wide in the next morning's paper and attracted national attention because it showed FBI informant [[Gary Thomas Rowe]] in the violent mob. It was one of the first times the [[Birmingham]] [[Civil Rights Movement]] got significant local coverage. The photo was then picked up by wire services and appeared around the world. In Japan, it embarrassed businessman and segregationist [[Sidney Smyer]] in front of the [[Rotary International|International Rotary Club]]. He returned to Birmingham and began working to remove Public Safety Commissioner [[Bull Connor]], who had kept the [[Birmingham Police Department]] away during the attack, from office. | ||
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Meanwhile Langston and his pregnant wife, Tommie, temporarily moved from their [[Southside]] apartment to her parents' in [[Shelby County]]. Editor [[Jimmy Mills]] had to make a special trip to see Langston and convince him to return to work. | Meanwhile Langston and his pregnant wife, Tommie, temporarily moved from their [[Southside]] apartment to her parents' in [[Shelby County]]. Editor [[Jimmy Mills]] had to make a special trip to see Langston and convince him to return to work. | ||
Langston finally retired from the ''Post-Herald'' in [[1989]], after 38 years with the paper. | Over his career, Langston received numerous awards from United Press and the Associated Press. He finally retired from the ''Post-Herald'' in [[1989]], after 38 years with the paper. | ||
Langston was also a member of [[First Baptist Church of Birmingham]]. | |||
Langston died after a lengthy illness, survived by his wife, Tommie; a son, Stephen; a daughter, Kathy L. Adkins; one grandson; three sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. He was buried in [[Montevallo Cemetery]]. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
* Patterson, Nick. (November 21, 2012). "[http://weldbham.com/blog/2012/11/21/a-quiet-unassuming-hero/ A quiet, unassuming hero]." {{Weld}}. | * Patterson, Nick. (November 21, 2012). "[http://weldbham.com/blog/2012/11/21/a-quiet-unassuming-hero/ A quiet, unassuming hero]." {{Weld}}. | ||
* Carlton, Bob. (August 4, 2013). "[http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/08/post_979.html Birmingham 1963: Photographers were on the front lines to capture the civil rights movement]." {{BN}}. | * Carlton, Bob. (August 4, 2013). "[http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/08/post_979.html Birmingham 1963: Photographers were on the front lines to capture the civil rights movement]." {{BN}}. | ||
* "Tommy Langston [obituary]." (October 26, 2013). {{BN}}. | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Langston, Tommy}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Langston, Tommy}} | ||
[[Category:1924 births]] | [[Category:1924 births]] | ||
[[Category:2013 deaths]] | [[Category:2013 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Bibb County High School alumni]] | |||
[[Category:US Army personnel]] | |||
[[Category:World War II veterans]] | |||
[[Category:Photographers]] | [[Category:Photographers]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Post-Herald]] | [[Category:Birmingham Post-Herald]] | ||
Revision as of 07:22, 28 October 2013
Thomas Early "Tommy" Langston (born August 23, 1924; died October 24, 2013) was a photographer for the Birmingham Post-Herald.
Langston grew up in Centreville, graduating from Bibb County High School. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. After the way, he earned a bachelor's degree in Industrial Management from the University of Alabama. His passion, however, was photography and he became a news photographer for the Birmingham Post-Herald around 1951. He and Tommie were married in 1959.
On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, 1961, a Trailways bus from Atlanta with Freedom Riders on board arrived at the Birmingham Trailways Station where the Riders were accosted by Ku Klux Klan members and National States Rights Party militants. Langston was at Acton's Camera Store near the station. He caught wind of the commotion, made his way there, and snapped an infamous photograph of the mob in action. His flash attracted the Klansmen's attention, however, and Langston fled as far as the parking lot before he was caught, his camera smashed, and he was beaten. Langston then managed to make it back to the newspaper. His camera was subsequently recovered with the film still intact.
The photo was published five-columns wide in the next morning's paper and attracted national attention because it showed FBI informant Gary Thomas Rowe in the violent mob. It was one of the first times the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement got significant local coverage. The photo was then picked up by wire services and appeared around the world. In Japan, it embarrassed businessman and segregationist Sidney Smyer in front of the International Rotary Club. He returned to Birmingham and began working to remove Public Safety Commissioner Bull Connor, who had kept the Birmingham Police Department away during the attack, from office.
Meanwhile Langston and his pregnant wife, Tommie, temporarily moved from their Southside apartment to her parents' in Shelby County. Editor Jimmy Mills had to make a special trip to see Langston and convince him to return to work.
Over his career, Langston received numerous awards from United Press and the Associated Press. He finally retired from the Post-Herald in 1989, after 38 years with the paper.
Langston was also a member of First Baptist Church of Birmingham.
Langston died after a lengthy illness, survived by his wife, Tommie; a son, Stephen; a daughter, Kathy L. Adkins; one grandson; three sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews. He was buried in Montevallo Cemetery.
References
- Patterson, Nick. (November 21, 2012). "A quiet, unassuming hero." Weld for Birmingham.
- Carlton, Bob. (August 4, 2013). "Birmingham 1963: Photographers were on the front lines to capture the civil rights movement." The Birmingham News.
- "Tommy Langston [obituary]." (October 26, 2013). The Birmingham News.