Influential 1915 Portrait of Labor Advocate E.P. Costigan

E.P. Costigan, an influential political figure, is captured in a photograph taken on February 3, 1915. Known for his advocacy of labor rights and progressive policy reforms, Costigan served as the Alabama state legislator and was a key figure in the early 20th-century labor movement. His work often focused on improving working conditions and addressing social injustices, characteristics that defined his political career.

The photograph, produced by the Bain News Service, places Costigan in a moment of representation not just for himself but for the broader labor movement of the time. This period was marked by significant social change in America, with workers increasingly organizing for better wages and conditions. Costigan’s role in this movement highlights the crucial intersection of political engagement and labor rights during a time when those voices were gaining momentum.