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Primary sourcePhotographc. 1870-1880

Portrait of President Rutherford B. Hayes by Mathew Brady

Mathew Benjamin Brady · c. 1870-1880

A studio photograph of Hayes taken by the famed photographer Mathew Brady during his presidential years.

This formal portrait shows Hayes as president, part of the public image created of him during his time in office.

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Black and white studio portrait of a bearded man with short, swept-back hair, wearing a dark suit jacket, waistcoat, and white shirt with a dark tie. He gazes directly at the camera against a plain gray backdrop.
Mathew Brady, portrait of Rutherford B. Hayes, c. 1870-1880.

About this source

What it is

This is a black-and-white studio photograph of Rutherford B. Hayes, taken by the photographer Mathew Brady sometime between about 1870 and 1880. It shows Hayes as a bearded man in a dark suit, looking directly at the camera.

Why it matters

Mathew Brady was one of the most famous American photographers of the 19th century, known for portraits of political leaders. This image captures Hayes around the time of his presidency and is a primary visual record of how he presented himself publicly.

Look closer

  • What does Hayes's pose and expression suggest he wanted viewers to think of him?
  • Why might a photographer like Brady have been chosen to take a president's portrait?
  • What does a formal studio photograph leave out compared to a candid image?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Rutherford B. Hayes on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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