Conklin, Paul S. 1929(?)-2003

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CONKLIN, Paul S. 1929(?)-2003


OBITUARY NOTICE—See index for CA sketch: Born c. 1929; died of cancer, September 17, 2003, in Port Townsend, WA. Photographer, journalist, and author. Conklin is best remembered for his work depicting the activities of the Peace Corps, as well as for his many nonfiction books for young adult readers. Conklin, who graduated from Wayne State University and later received a master's degree from Columbia University, first became interested in photography while serving in the U.S. Army during the 1950s. Upon leaving the army, he worked for the Minneapolis Star as a newspaper reporter, as well as freelancing as a writer in Nigeria. After returning from Nigeria, he was hired into the then-newly created Peace Corps, documenting the organization's activities from 1962 to 1965. It was a few years later, in 1971, that he took what is likely his most famous photograph: a picture of a Vietnam War protestor inserting a daisy into the gun barrel held by a National Guardsman. The photo appeared in Time magazine. Conklin also had his photos published in such magazines as National Geographic and Newsweek, as well as such newspapers as the Washington Post. Conklin's interest in documenting quickly disappearing cultures across the world, resulted in his publishing several books for young adults either as a photographer or as both photographer and author. His books as author include Cimarron Kid (1973), Choctaw Boy (1975), and Michael of Wales (1977); and his books as photographer, often for author Brent Ashabranner, include To Live in Two Worlds: American Indian Youth Today (1984), Keepers and Creatures at the National Zoo (1988), People Who Make a Difference (1989), and To Seek a Better World: The Haitian Minority in America (1997).


OBITUARIES AND OTHER SOURCES:


BOOKS


Ward, Martha E., and others, Authors of Books forYoung People, 3rd edition, Scarecrow Press (Metuchen, NJ), 1990.



PERIODICALS


Los Angeles Times, September 23, 2003, p. B11.

New York Times, September 22, 2003, p. A17.

Washington Post, September 26, 2003, p. B7.