Just over 50 years ago, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles. His body was flown from to New York City for his funeral. Following the funeral, master photographer Paul Fusco documented the trip his casket took from New York City to Washington by train. Paul’s photographs taken from that trip make up one of the most historically heartfelt documentary series I have ever seen.
Years ago, when I was Executive Director of the Photographic Resource Center at Boston University, we invited Paul to be part of our lecture series. Paul made an incredibly moving presentation of this series as well as an unpublished series of photos he took at Chernobyl. I hope that someday, someone has the guts to publish Paul’s Chernobyl photographs.
I consider Paul’s lecture among the most moving and important lectures we ever did. It was a lecture I’ll never forget. Magnum photos produced a limited edition, signed print of one of Paul’s RFK’s Funeral Train photos.
I couldn’t help myself, I just added the print to the Fitts collection. It’s an amazing image and a piece of American history.
Photo: © Paul Fusco