Robert H. Jackson (photographer)

Robert H. Jackson's prize-winning photograph of Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald

Robert "Bob" Hill Jackson (born April 8, 1934) is an American photographer. In 1964, Jackson, then of the Dallas Times-Herald, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Photography for his photograph of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby.[1][2][3][4]

Early life and career

Jackson said his interest in photography began when he was 12 or 13. He grew up in Dallas. An aunt gave him a Baby Brownie Special camera to give him his start, and a family cat became one of his first subjects. When Jackson turned 14, his interest became more serious. Another aunt gave him an Argus C-3 35 mm camera. Jackson’s first news photo was of a double fatality crash in northern Dallas. Jackson persuaded his father to drive him to the scene of the crash. His second news photo was of an airplane crash at Love Field.[1]

His photography interest grew when he became hooked on photographing sports car racing. Prior to joining the 36th Infantry National Guard, Jackson attended Southern Methodist University but did not graduate. While in the Army, Jackson became a photographer for an Army general and further developed his portfolio.[1]

November 1963

On Nov. 22, 1963, Jackson was assigned to cover President John F. Kennedy's arrival at Love Field and his motorcade through the city. Jackson sat atop the back seat of a convertible, six cars behind Kennedy's, as the motorcade approached Dealey Plaza. At the time, his camera had no film.[2]

Jackson and many other journalists covered the arrival of President Kennedy and first lady Jackie at Dallas Love Field. Jackson then joined the Kennedy motorcade and was in the eighth vehicle behind the presidential limousine when he saw a rifle being withdrawn from a sixth-story window of the Texas School Book Depository building as the motorcade headed down Elm Street. Two days later, Jackson witnessed history being made again as he photographed the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald in the Dallas police station.[1] Jackson was told to go to the police station and photograph the transfer of Oswald to the county jail.[2]

Later Life

In later life, Jackson was a staff photographer for the Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. He retired from the Gazette in 1999. He has three daughters, two sons from his wife's previous marriage and a son with his current wife. He also has 10 grandchildren.[1] As of November 2013, Jackson resides in Manitou Springs, Colorado.[1][2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Boyle, Jim (10 November 2013). "JFK series: Newspaper photographer witnesses historic shootings".
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Meyer, Jeremy P. (23 November 2013). "Bob Jackson's iconic photo of Ruby shooting Oswald still resonates". The Denver Post.
  3. ↑ Granberry, Michael (5 April 2010). "Six-Tenths of a Second, Two Lives Forever Changed".
  4. ↑ Fischer, Heinz-D; Fischer, Erika J. (2003). Complete Historical Handbook of the Pulitzer Prize System 1917-2000: Decision-Making Processes in all Award Categories based on unpublished Sources. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110939125.

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