Edward Everett 1853 - 1863

This is Mathew Brady’s photographic portrait of Edward Everett. Brady was one of the most celebrated photographers of the 19th century. Edward Everett, captured here, was a prominent figure in the political and intellectual life of his time, as a statesman, orator, and educator. While this image projects an aura of power, it’s crucial to recognize the social context that made such influence possible. Everett, like many of his contemporaries, benefited from the historical injustices and inequalities deeply embedded in American society, particularly the institution of slavery. Brady’s photographs, while celebrated for their documentary power, also served to reinforce particular narratives and power structures. This image leaves us to consider the complex relationship between representation, power, and historical memory, and how photography can both reveal and conceal the truths of its time.