Charles W. Colson, political operative and prison ministry founder, dies at 80

The Republican political operative who boasted he would “walk over my own grandmother” to ensure the reelection of President Richard M. Nixon went on to found a worldwide prison fellowship ministry after his conversion to evangelical Christianity.

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Feb. 23, 1971

Charles W. Colson helped lay the groundwork for the Nixon landslide of November 1972 by appealing to disgruntled Democrats and blue-collar minority voters. His involvement in orchestrating illegal activities to discredit former Pentagon official Daniel Ellsberg led to his conviction for obstruction of justice during the Watergate scandal.

Jim McNamara / The Washington Post

May 13, 1972

President Richard M. Nixon, Colson, center, and Ken Clawson are shown in an official White House photo.

/ White House

Nov. 27, 1972

Colson, during his time as special counsel to President Richard M. Nixon, sits back in the den of his home in McLean.

Craig Herndon / The Washington Post

June 8, 1973

Colson makes a brief appearance before the news media after testifying for a Los Angeles County grand jury investigating the break-in at the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, who had released the Pentagon Papers.

Wally Fong / AP

1973

Colson’s reputation as a “dirty tricks artist” during the Nixon administration overshadowed his achievements as a political strategist.

/ The Washington Post

March 1, 1974

Colson, by then former special counsel to President Richard M. Nixon, puts on his jacket to face photographers after being indicted for conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Arthur Ellis / The Washington Post

June 21, 1974

Colson arrives at U.S. District Court in Washington to be sentenced for obstructing justice.

Bob Daugherty / AP

June 21, 1974

Colson leaves court after receiving a sentence of one to three years. At left is his wife.

Doug Chevalier / The Washington Post

July 3, 1974

Colson arrives at U.S. District Court accompanied by his attorney to testify at the sixth day of the Ellsberg break-in trial.

Larry Morris / The Washington Post

July 15, 1974

Colson waits to testify before the House Judiciary Committee.

Frank Johnston

Feb. 8, 1976

Colson preaches before a congregation at Largo Senior High School in Largo.

Ken Feil

Sept. 29, 1981

Colson, center, sits with prisoners from across the country who came to listen to him as he conducts a seminar to convert prisoners to Christianity.

Harry Naltchayan / The Washington Post

Sept. 26, 1996

From left, Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.), Colson of Prison Fellowship and Gary Bauer of the Family Research Council confer outside Senate chambers after a failed Senate vote to override President Bill Clinton's veto of legislation to outlaw late-term abortion.

Ray Lustig

May 13, 1997

Colson, right, looks on as Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) addresses reporters on Capitol Hill during a news conference to speak out against a Senate bill that would limit prisoners' challenges to aspects of imprisonment because of their religious beliefs.

Brian K. Diggs / AP

Jan. 15, 2011

Colson, center, greets supporters during a lunch break. Colson formed an evangelical ministry and was attending the graduation of its latest class of "Centurions" in Leesburg.