With thanks to W. Gay Reading Jr. and James D. Birchfield, Curator of Rare Books at the University of Kentucky.
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- Portrait of Thomas Merton by Victor Hammer.
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- Victor Hammer's preparatory drawing for his Thomas Merton portrait.
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- Photograph of Thomas Merton by Carolyn Hammer.
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- Photograph of Thomas Merton by Carolyn Hammer at one of their picnics.
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- Carolyn and Victor Hammer with Thomas Merton.
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- Thomas Merton on one of his visits to Victor and Carolyn Hammer in Lexington, Kentucky.
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- Photograph of Thomas Merton in the Merton Papers at the University of Kentucky.
9 Responses to “Thomas Merton in Pictures”
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I would like to see more of the relationship of Merton with the brothers Berrigan, Philip and Dan.
The mutual respect, their influences on each other, and the opposition to nuclear proliferation are and will be the most important of our time. Interestingly Phil and Thomas died nearly the same day, but years apart.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Poet Louis Simpson about his recollection of Merton while they were at Columbia U .
Merton led the first conference (I forgot the name of it) that led to the nonviolent side of the peace movement and the Berrigen’s civil disobedience. I attended the second one in NYC which was after Merton’s passing. No one had a real solution except “go back to your communities”. No one knew what to do, to end the war against the Vietnamese people and culture.
On this anniversary weekend of Woodstock, I like to remember the important part Thomas Merton played in the 1960s. He was a real man of his times.
This article by Paul Pearson is just beautiful…..I have long been so very touched by Merton’s writings. Thanks to PBS for giving us these wonderful articles and programs. Thanks, Paul
for all of us who have been marginalized, left behind, and seeking love for ourselves Thomas Merton speaks volumes. one is never alone when one has read him.
I must agree with the legacy for all who have been marginalized, and left behind. I have been a social worker for years and a contemplative and I have found Merton speaking to my heart and helping me to make sense of all of the pain and suffering I have experienced as a social worker and a therapist. I think that is Merton’s attraction to many, he was purely human (definition of a saint in my opinion)and could put it in words the rest of us understand. He has eased my spirit for many years now.
One of the most loving and greatest men of the twentieth century. when I visited his home in Kentucky I walked through the woods and fields and felt a bit uncomfortable, as if trespassing. His delightful “human-ness” was palpable and I felt like and interloper. Read him, understand him, contemplate his life and his writing. Finally, give in to what he says, what he means, what he wants for us.
I was very young when I read “Seven Storey Mountain” and was completely taken in by it. I read several other books by Thomas Merton through the years, I am now 87 years old and still feel a kinship with him through his writings. I’m not sure that I know exactly how to express what my exposure to Thomas Merton’s writings has done to me, or for me. I believe I have been a better person because of his influence. I cherish whatever it is that he gave me – and thank him for it. Perhaps when I go home I will have an opportunity to meet him.