Historic Portrait of a Texas Political Leader, 1920s

This photograph features Albert Thomas, taken between 1920 and 1925. Albert Thomas was a prominent American politician from Texas, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1919 to 1941. He played a vital role during a transformative period in American history, contributing to significant legislation that addressed economic and social issues of the time. Known for his advocacy on behalf of veterans and military matters, Thomas’s political influence extended through the New Deal era.

Captured by the Bain News Service, this glass negative represents the early days of photojournalism, where images were often used to document and communicate the lives of public figures. During the 1920s, photojournalism became increasingly important as a means of storytelling in newspapers. This image serves as a historical reference, illustrating both the style of photography from that era and the persona of a key political figure during an essential time in U.S. history.