Printing plate of Willie Francis
- Photograph by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Francis, Willie, American, 1929 - 1947
- Used by
- The Chicago Defender, American, founded 1905
- Date
- May 1947
- Medium
- ink on zinc
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 5 9/16 × 3 7/8 × 1/16 in. (14.1 × 9.8 × 0.2 cm)
- Caption
- In 1947, 18-year-old Willie Francis faced the death penalty for a second time after his first execution failed. Francis was a juvenile offender sentenced to death at age 16 for the 1945 murder of Andrew Thomas in Louisiana. Despite protests from around the country for a stay of execution, the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court failed and Governor J. Emile Verret scheduled the execution. Francis was executed on May 9, 1947. The case was covered in detail by the Chicago Defender who shared stories about the trial, case, and activists fighting to help aid Francis.
- Description
- A printing plate of Willie Francis featured in the Chicago defender. The image depicts Francis sitting in the Parish County jail in New Iberia, Louisiana, looking toward the camera, and holding a calendar with the number 9 circled, the date for his scheduled execution. The back of the plate has an inscription [Willie Francis / 50, 530].
- Place made
- Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
- Place depicted
- New Iberia, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Tools and Equipment
- Photographs and Still Images
- Type
- printing plates
- portraits
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Chicago Defender Publishing Company
- Object number
- 2012.18.5.12
- Restrictions & Rights
- © Chicago Defender Publishing Company
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.