Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
W. Eugene & Aileen M. Smith Collection
c.00614
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
- Creator
- Smith, Aileen Mioko
- Creator
- Smith, W. Eugene, 1918-1978
- Title
- W. Eugene and Aileen M. Smith collection
- ID
- c.00614
- Date
- circa 1975
- Extent
- 1.0 Cubic feet , 8 photographs
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan".
Biographical Note
William Eugene Smith (December 30, 1918–October 15, 1978), was an American photojournalist known for his refusal to compromise professional standards and his brutally vivid World War II photographs. In January 1972, Smith was attacked by employees of the Chisso Company near Tokyo, in an attempt to stop him from further publicizing the effects of Minamata disease to the world. Although Smith survived the attack, his sight in one eye deteriorated. During the time Smith was not able to work due to his injuries, his wife of Japanese origin, Aileen M. Smith, continued his work. Smith and his wife lived in the city of Minamata from 1971 to 1973, and created a photo essay detailing the effects of the poison induced disease, caused by a Chisso factory discharging heavy metals into water sources around Minamata. (Information retrieved March 13, 2014 from Wikipedia)
Scope and Contents note
The W. Eugene & Aileen M. Smith collection contains eight photographs highlighting mercury disease in humans and fish. The photos were produced for their book, "Minamata: Life Sacred and Profane" in 1975.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections February 2010
Conrad Hall888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Legal Status
Copyright: W. Eugene Smith and Aileen Mioko Smith and cannot be reproduced. Property Rights: Michigan State University
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
The photographs were transferred by Frank M. D'Itri to the Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections.
Accession: HC 00549 Date: November, 1983
Controlled Access Headings
Genre(s)
- Photographs
Personal Name(s)
- D’Itri, Frank M.
Subject(s)
- Fishes -- Effect of water pollution on
- Mercury -- Toxicology
- Mercury wastes
Collection Inventory
| Box | ||||
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Photographs (8) |
SC Photo 7 | |||