1910s New Yorks Civic Leader: Roland Molyneux Portrait

This glass negative captures Roland Molyneux, a notable figure active in New Yorks social and political scenes between 1910 and 1915. Molyneux was particularly known for his involvement in various civic causes and was a prominent member of the city’s Democratic Party during a time of significant changes in American politics. His representation in this photograph highlights the importance of individual figures in shaping the myriad social dynamics of early 20th-century America.

The Bain News Service, which produced this image, was renowned for its role in disseminating news photographs. Operating in the early 1900s, Bain focused on providing media outlets with images that chronicled important events, people, and cultural trends of the time. The period between 1910 and 1915 was marked by various movements, including labor rights and women’s suffrage, all of which influenced the backdrop against which public figures like Molyneux operated. The photograph stands as a document of this pivotal era, reflecting not just a likeness of Molyneux, but a snapshot of a society experiencing transformation.