Ernest Nash facts for kids
Ernest Nash was a famous photographer. He was born in Germany in 1898. His original name was Ernst Nathan. He loved taking pictures of old buildings. He especially liked ancient Roman ruins. He helped us learn a lot about how Rome looked long ago. He passed away in Rome, Italy, in 1974.
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Who Was Ernest Nash?
Ernest Nash was born in Potsdam, Germany. He studied at the University of Jena. He even had a law office in his hometown. But his real passion was photography. He later changed his name to Nash. This happened when he lived in the United States for some years.
Early Life and Photography
Ernest Nash first traveled to Italy in 1936. His goal was to photograph ancient ruins. He visited famous places like Rome, Ostia, and Pompeii. He wanted to capture these old sites forever.
He left Germany because of unfair rules. These rules were put in place by Adolf Hitler. They made it very hard for some people to live safely. So, Nash moved to the United States in 1939.
A New Home and Important Work
In 1952, Ernest Nash returned to Italy. He wanted to continue his important work. In 1957, he started something special. It was called the Fototeca Unione archive. This archive is at the American Academy in Rome. He was its director. This place holds many of his amazing photos. It helps people study ancient Roman buildings.
Besides old buildings, he also took pictures of famous musicians. One famous photo is of Béla Bartók. Bartók was a well-known composer. This picture is still used by The New York Times today.
His Legacy
Ernest Nash had a family. He was survived by his third wife, Bertha. He also had two daughters and two grandchildren. His work helps us understand history. His photos show us what ancient Rome looked like. He is buried in Rome's Campo Cestio cemetery.
Books by Ernest Nash
Ernest Nash wrote books with his photographs. These books help people learn about ancient cities.
- Roman towns. Photographs and text by Ernest Nash. (Published in New York in 1944).
- Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Rome (This was a two-volume set published in 1962).
More About Ernest Nash
You can learn more about Ernest Nash here:
- A Short Biography of Ernest Nash
- The Urban Legacy of Ancient Rome: Photographs from the Ernest Nash Fototeca Unione Collection at Stanford University Library
