About the book
Photographer O. N. Pruitt (1891–1967) was for some forty years the de facto documentarian of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and its county seat, Columbus — known to locals as “Possum Town.” His body of work recalls many FSA photographers, but Pruitt was not an outsider with an agenda; he was a community member with intimate knowledge of the town and its residents. He photographed his fellow white citizens and Black ones as well, in circumstances ranging from the mundane to the horrific: family picnics, parades, river baptisms, carnivals, fires, funerals, two of Mississippi’s last public and legal executions by hanging, and a lynching. From formal portraits to candid images of events in the moment, Pruitt’s documentary of a specific yet representative southern town offers viewers today an invitation to meditate on the interrelations of photography, community, race, and historical memory.
Columbus native Berkley Hudson was photographed by Pruitt, and for more than three decades he has considered and curated Pruitt’s expansive archive, both as a scholar of media and visual journalism and as a community member. This stunning book presents Pruitt’s photography as never before, combining more than 190 images with a biographical introduction and Hudson’s short essays and reflective captions on subjects such as religion, ethnic identity, the ordinary graces of everyday life, and the exercise of brutal power.
Editions of O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469662701
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469662725
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469662718
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890856012
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890856005
Read an Excerpt
Photographer O. N. Pruitt (1891–1967) was for some forty years the de facto documentarian of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and its county seat, Columbus — known to locals as “Possum Town.” His body of work recalls many FSA photographers, but Pruitt was not an outsider with an agenda; he was a community member with intimate knowledge of the town and its residents. He photographed his fellow white citizens and Black ones as well, in circumstances ranging from the mundane to the horrific: family picnics, parades, river baptisms, carnivals, fires, funerals, two of Mississippi’s last public and legal executions by hanging, and a lynching. From formal portraits to candid images of events in the moment, Pruitt’s documentary of a specific yet representative southern town offers viewers today an invitation to meditate on the interrelations of photography, community, race, and historical memory.
Columbus native Berkley Hudson was photographed by Pruitt, and for more than three decades he has considered and curated Pruitt’s expansive archive, both as a scholar of media and visual journalism and as a community member. This stunning book presents Pruitt’s photography as never before, combining more than 190 images with a biographical introduction and Hudson’s short essays and reflective captions on subjects such as religion, ethnic identity, the ordinary graces of everyday life, and the exercise of brutal power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town about?
Photographer O. N. Pruitt (1891–1967) was for some forty years the de facto documentarian of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and its county seat, Columbus — known to locals as “Possum Town.” His body of work recalls many FSA photographers, but Pruitt was not an outsider with an agenda; he was a community member with intimate knowledge of the town and its residents. He photographed his fellow white citizens and Black ones as well, in circumstances ranging from the mundane to the horrific: family picnics, parades, river baptisms, carnivals, fires, funerals, two of Mississippi’s last public and legal executions by hanging, and a lynching. From formal portraits to candid images of events in the moment, Pruitt’s documentary of a specific yet representative southern town offers viewers today an invitation to meditate on the interrelations of photography, community, race, and historical memory.
Columbus native Berkley Hudson was photographed by Pruitt, and for more than three decades he has considered and curated Pruitt’s expansive archive, both as a scholar of media and visual journalism and as a community member. This stunning book presents Pruitt’s photography as never before, combining more than 190 images with a biographical introduction and Hudson’s short essays and reflective captions on subjects such as religion, ethnic identity, the ordinary graces of everyday life, and the exercise of brutal power.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town?
The Arts > Photography and photographs > Photographs: collections
Where can I read a sample of O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469662701
How long is O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town and how many pages does it have?
O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town has 272 page(s)
Is O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Documentary Arts and Culture, Published in association with the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
Who is/are the Author/s of the book O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town?
Berkley Hudson, Tom Rankin
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469662701) and ebook(ISBN 9781469662725) and ebook(ISBN 9781469662718) and ebook(ISBN 9798890856012) and pdf(ISBN 9798890856005)
Where can I buy O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town from below
Where can I buy O. N. Pruitt's Possum Town?