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Photojournalist James K.W. Atherton dies

The 83-year-old retired Washington Post news photographer, who captured many historic moments in Washington, died at his home in Annapolis on Tuesday. Here is a look at some of Atherton’s work throughout his career.

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Aug. 28, 1963

James K.W. Atherton photographed the civil rights demonstrations in the summer of 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, above. At top, Martin Luther King Jr. appears before the March on Washington at the National Mall.

James K. W. Atherton / United Press International

Photojournalist James K.W. Atherton works during congressional hearings on former President Richard Nixon’s pardon. Without being subpoenaed, President Gerald Ford solemnly appeared before the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on criminal justice on Capitol Hill. Ford set to clarify the circumstances of the Nixon pardon, which he declared had not been prearranged. Ford said the pardon was generated because of his concerns of reports of Nixon’s deteriorating mental and physical health.

Oct. 17, 1974

Photojournalist James K.W. Atherton works during congressional hearings on former President Richard Nixon’s pardon. Without being subpoenaed, President Gerald Ford solemnly appeared before the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on criminal justice on Capitol Hill. Ford set to clarify the circumstances of the Nixon pardon, which he declared had not been prearranged. Ford said the pardon was generated because of his concerns of reports of Nixon’s deteriorating mental and physical health.

David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images

James K.W. Atherton shoots behind President John F. Kennedy.

Undated

James K.W. Atherton shoots behind President John F. Kennedy.

Courtesy of the Atherton Family / COURTESY OF THE ATHERTON FAMILY

Former presidential aide John Dean III waits to testify on the Watergate coverup with his wife, Maureen, at his side on Capitol Hill. Dean testified that Nixon was involved in the coverup of the Watergate break-in and said Nixon had recordings of meetings where the coverup was discussed.

June 25, 1973

Former presidential aide John Dean III waits to testify on the Watergate coverup with his wife, Maureen, at his side on Capitol Hill. Dean testified that Nixon was involved in the coverup of the Watergate break-in and said Nixon had recordings of meetings where the coverup was discussed.

James K. W. Atherton / The Washington Post

A portrait of former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, who served under presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

1981

A portrait of former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, who served under presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Then-Chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) looks down at a drawing Jocelyn D. Green, 5, presented to him.

March 21, 1990

Then-Chairman of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) looks down at a drawing Jocelyn D. Green, 5, presented to him.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Rep. Charles 'Charlie' Wilson (D-Tex.) talks on the phone in his office in Washington. Wilson’s work in persuading Congress to support Operation Cyclone, a CIA operation during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, was made into a book and a movie starring Tom Hanks.

June 28, 1981

Rep. Charles "Charlie" Wilson (D-Tex.) talks on the phone in his office in Washington. Wilson’s work in persuading Congress to support Operation Cyclone, a CIA operation during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, was made into a book and a movie starring Tom Hanks.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, left, and House Speaker Tip O'Neill (D-Mass.) during a joint session of Congress.

March 20, 1985

Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, left, and House Speaker Tip O'Neill (D-Mass.) during a joint session of Congress.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Sen. Sam Ervin (D-N.C.) is photographed in Washington in 1973.

July 19, 1973

Sen. Sam Ervin (D-N.C.) is photographed in Washington in 1973.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Judge Robert Bork testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearings to be a Supreme Court justice. Bork was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, and his nomination was rejected.

Sept. 18, 1987

Judge Robert Bork testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during his confirmation hearings to be a Supreme Court justice. Bork was nominated by President Ronald Reagan, and his nomination was rejected.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Howard Hunt Jr., right, finds a light moment with his lawyers before resuming testimony in the Watergate hearings.

Sept. 26, 1973

Howard Hunt Jr., right, finds a light moment with his lawyers before resuming testimony in the Watergate hearings.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

A shot of James Watt, who served as the secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan.

A shot of James Watt, who served as the secretary of the Interior under President Ronald Reagan.

James K. W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Sen. Charles Mathias (R-Md.) and Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) discuss a bombing at the Capitol at the location where the bomb was thought to have been placed.

Nov. 8, 1983

Sen. Charles Mathias (R-Md.) and Majority Leader Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) discuss a bombing at the Capitol at the location where the bomb was thought to have been placed.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Former FBI director L. Patrick Gray III is photographed during Watergate hearings.

Aug. 6, 1973

Former FBI director L. Patrick Gray III is photographed during Watergate hearings.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Abe Pollin lifts the top off his sports arena model after a lunch in Washington. Pollin financed the creation of the MCI Center — now the Verizon Center — in Chinatown.

Nov. 21, 1972

Abe Pollin lifts the top off his sports arena model after a lunch in Washington. Pollin financed the creation of the MCI Center — now the Verizon Center — in Chinatown.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Office of Management and Budget Director David Stockman testifies before the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee. He was one of the most controversial OMB directors in history, assisting with the approval of President Ronald Reagan’s budget and supporting “trickle-down economics.”

May 19, 1981

Office of Management and Budget Director David Stockman testifies before the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee. He was one of the most controversial OMB directors in history, assisting with the approval of President Ronald Reagan’s budget and supporting “trickle-down economics.”

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

John Mitchell, attorney general under former President Richard Nixon. Mitchell, a close personal friend of Nixon’s, was sentenced to prison in 1977 for his role in the Watergate scandal.

Oct. 25, 1975

John Mitchell, attorney general under former President Richard Nixon. Mitchell, a close personal friend of Nixon’s, was sentenced to prison in 1977 for his role in the Watergate scandal.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee William H. Rehnquist, right, reaches across Sens. Howard Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), second from left, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) to shake hands with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) just before his confirmation hearings began. Rehnquist served as chief justice of the United States from 1986 until 2005, when he died at his home in Arlington just shy of his 81st birthday.

July 29, 1986

Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee William H. Rehnquist, right, reaches across Sens. Howard Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), second from left, and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) to shake hands with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) just before his confirmation hearings began. Rehnquist served as chief justice of the United States from 1986 until 2005, when he died at his home in Arlington just shy of his 81st birthday.

James K.W. Atherton / The Washington Post

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