Skip to main content

Elliot Richardson

Elliot Richardson
Usage Conditions Apply
Artist
James Hill, 1930 - 2004
Sitter
Elliot Lee Richardson, 20 Jul 1920 - 31 Dec 1999
Date
c. 1971
Type
Painting
Medium
Acrylic on board
Dimensions
65.7cm x 50.9cm (25 7/8" x 20 1/16"), Image
Topic
Costume\Dress Accessory\Eyeglasses
Costume\Dress Accessory\Neckwear\Tie\Necktie
Elliot Lee Richardson: Visual Arts\Artist
Elliot Lee Richardson: Male
Elliot Lee Richardson: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\US Attorney General
Elliot Lee Richardson: Literature\Writer
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Diplomat\Ambassador
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of Commerce
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Lieutenant Governor\Massachusetts
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of Defense
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Under Secretary of State
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare
Elliot Lee Richardson: Politics and Government\State Attorney General\Massachusetts
Elliot Lee Richardson: Presidential Medal of Freedom
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Object number
NPG.88.TC168
Exhibition Label
Elliot Richardson was appointed attorney general in May 1973, at the height of the Department of Justice’s investigation of the Watergate scandal. Since the crimes involved people at high levels of the executive branch of the government, a special prosecutor was needed to ensure an unbiased investigation. Richardson, therefore, accepted the nomination with a promise to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the scandal on behalf of his agency.
In October, President Nixon’s refusal to hand over tape recordings to the special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, instigated the “Saturday Night Massacre.” On Saturday, October 20, 1973, Nixon ordered Richardson to fire Cox and to close the special prosecutor’s investigation. Richardson refused to comply with Nixon’s orders. Upon receiving Richardson’s resignation, Nixon declared, “Let it be on your head. I’m sorry you can’t put the nation’s interests above your own concerns.” Richardson responded, “I’d like to feel that what I’m doing is in the national interest.”
Elliot Richardson fue nombrado procurador general en mayo de 1973, en el punto más álgido de la investigación del escándalo de Watergate por parte del Departamento de Justicia. Dado que los delitos involucraban a personas de los más altos niveles del ejecutivo del gobierno, se necesitaba un fiscal especial que asegurara la imparcialidad de la investigación. Por lo tanto, Richardson aceptó la nominación con la promesa de nombrar un fiscal especial para investigar el escándalo en nombre de su agencia.
En octubre, la negativa del presidente Nixon de entregar las grabaciones al fiscal especial, Archibald Cox, instigó la “Masacre de Sábado por la Noche.” El sábado, 20 de octubre de 1973, Nixon ordenó a Richardson que despidiera a Cox y que pusiera fin a la investigación del fiscal especial. Richardson se negó a cumplir las órdenes de Nixon. Al recibir la dimisión de Richardson, Nixon declaró: “Que quede en tu conciencia. Siento que no puedas poner los intereses de la nación sobre tus propias preocupaciones”. A lo que Richardson respondió: “Me gustaría creer que lo que estoy haciendo es por el bien de la nación”.
Collection Description
In 1978, Time magazine donated approximately eight hundred works of original cover art to the National Portrait Gallery. The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of individuals who have shaped the United States, and the Time Collection—featuring prominent international figures and events—enriches our understanding of the United States in a global context.
En 1978, la revista Time donó a la National Portrait Gallery cerca de 800 obras de arte originales creadas para sus portadas. Nuestro museo se dedica a narrar la historia de figuras que han contribuido a forjar el desarrollo de Estados Unidos, y es así que la Colección Time, que incluye retratos de importantes personalidades internacionales, nos ayuda a comprender mejor a nuestra nación en un contexto global.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Location
Currently not on view