MATHEW BRADY

The “gentleman” was Congressman Benjamin Butler former Civil War General, and Governor of Massachusetts who had a corrupt history of looting wealthy Louisiana. Brady had been a very successful photographer and had invested over $100,000 in photographing the civil war with the expectation that when the war was won, the government would buy his collection. They did not and he was financially ruined and had to accept anything the government would offer. Butler arranged the purchase and got the $12,500 kickback which was legal in those days. He became one of the wealthy men of America. Brady died an alcoholic in poverty. Without the Brady photographs, the great Ken Burns PBS documentary of the Civil War could never have been made.

The “gentleman” was Congressman Benjamin Butler former Civil War General, and Governor of Massachusetts who had a corrupt history of looting wealthy Louisiana. Brady had been a very successful photographer and had invested over $100,000 in photographing the civil war with the expectation that when the war was won, the government would buy his collection. They did not and he was financially ruined and had to accept anything the government would offer. Butler arranged the purchase and got the $12,500 kickback which was legal in those days. He became one of the wealthy men of America. Brady died an alcoholic in poverty. Without the Brady photographs, the great Ken Burns PBS documentary of the Civil War could never have been made.