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Pulitzer-winning civil-rights photographer Jack Thornell dies.

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jack Thornell died Thursday at a Metairie hospital at age 86 from kidney disease complications.
He earned the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of James Meredith after a shotgun attack, an enduring civil-rights image.
After an Army mix-up placed him in a photography course, Thornell worked for Jackson Daily News and AP New Orleans bureau, documenting 1964 murders of Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman and Selma-to-Montgomery march.

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Story summary

Jack Thornell died Thursday at a Metairie hospital at age 86 from kidney disease complications.
He earned the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his photograph of James Meredith after a shotgun attack, an enduring civil-rights image.
After an Army mix-up placed him in a photography course, Thornell worked for Jackson Daily News and AP New Orleans bureau, documenting 1964 murders of Michael Schwerner, James Chaney and Andrew Goodman and Selma-to-Montgomery march.