Bill Eppridge was one of the most accomplished photojournalists of the Twentieth Century and captured some of the most significant moments in American history:  he covered wars, political campaigns, heroin addiction, the arrival of the Beatles in the United States, Vietnam, Woodstock, the civil rights movement, (notably the funeral of James Chaney, who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan), the Olympic Games, America’s Cup races, and revolutions in Latin America, and perhaps the most dramatic moment of his career - the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles. Over the last 60 years, his work appeared in numerous publications, including National Geographic, Life, and Sports Illustrated; and has been exhibited in museums throughout the world.

Born in Buenos Aires, the second of three children, young Bill Eppridge came to the U.S. and was raised in upstate New York near Rochester. In 1960, Eppridge refined his art and his eye at the University of Missouri, where he received his bachelor's degree in journalism. While at the School of Journalism, Eppridge won a picture competition and first prize brought him to a week-long internship with LIFE magazine.

After his graduation, Eppridge worked for National Geographic, and then, LIFE magazine. With well over 100 assignments, he had already proven his talent by the time he was formally made a member of the exalted Life staff in 1964. His assignments with LIFE magazine marked some very important points in history, beginning with coverage of several wars in the early sixties. 

Still later, Eppridge worked on environmental and outdoor stories for LIFE magazine until it ceased publication as a weekly in 1972. He then signed a corporate contract with Time Inc. "I tried all the magazines to see if I liked working for TIME or Fortune. I was there for the start of People." Eventually in 1977, he joined Sports Illustrated. He describes his work with SI as "Sports with no balls" as he was not fond of shooting baseball, basketball, or football. "I prefer to do something that I've never done before", he remarks. "Rather than specialize, I'm a generalist."

The exhibit presents an overview of his career, including many never-before-seen examples of his early work, and many of his photographs of Bobby Kennedy’s 1968 campaign will be featured. Also included is the extraordinary burned master print of Robert Kennedy lying on the hotel floor of the Ambassador hotel after he was shot. This will be one of only a few times the master print has been exhibited publicly.

In 1996, Eppridge received the Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award, the highest accolade bestowed by the National Press Photographers Association. Eppridge was the recipient of the 2011 Lucie Award for Achievement in Photojournalism. 

Bill Eppridge left behind and incredible legacy as a photographer. “He only asked that his work continue to be published and shared” –Adrienne Aurichio, wife of Bill and Director of the Bill Eppridge Photography Archive.

Zoom Gallery talk with Adrienne Aurichio, Friday, September 30 at 5:30 (MDT). Registration required, register at www.monroegallery.com