Born in Knoxville, Tenn., on 15 July 1937, photographer Robert Bolton discovered photography in his early teens. Bolton attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in art. Shortly after graduating from college, he became art director of Hogan, Rose & Co. Inc., an advertising agency in Knoxville, Tenn. Although he remained in this professional position for the rest of his life, Bolton continued to be an avid photographer until his death in 1988. The collection consists chiefly of photographic materials spanning more than 25 years and documenting the social landscape of the eastern United States, mid 1950s-early 1980s. Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, New York, and Louisiana are the most frequently depicted states. Individual cities frequently depicted include Washington, D.C.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; New York, N.Y.; Atlanta, Ga.; Raleigh, N.C.; Union Grove, N.C.; and New Orleans, La. In addition to friends and family, Bolton photographed numerous performers and artists, including Louis Armstrong, the Austin High Gang Reunion Band, Count Basie, the Beach Boys, Pappy Boyington, John Coltrane, Eddie Davis, Bob Dylan, Bud Freeman, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Bunky Green, Ernst Haas, Billy Hart, Woody Herman, Earl Hines, Art Hodes, Jim Lanigan, Jimmy McPartland, Carmen McRae, Thelonious Monk, James Moody, Floyd O'Brien, the Original Salty Dogs, Charlie Rouse, Pee Wee Russell, Archie Shepp, Jean Simmons, Jimmy Smith, Carl Sublett, George Wein, and George Wettling. Cultural events and institutions depicted include the 1967 Asheville Folk Festival, Asheville, N.C.; the 1965 Downbeat Jazz Festival, Chicago, Ill.; the 1966 Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta, Ga.; a 1965 Bob Dylan Concert, Knoxville, Tenn.; the Free Southern Theater, New Orleans, La., 1965; the Guggenheim Museum, New York, N.Y.; the Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y.; the 1964 New York World's Fair; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; the Ole Time Fiddler's & Bluegrass Festival, Union Grove, N.C., 1966-1972; and WNOX Radio station in Knoxville, Tenn. Frequently depicted subjects include airports, animals, artists, buildings, cars, car races, children, concerts, fairs, festivals, highways, horse shows, motorcycles, motorcyclists, museums, musicians, race cars, restaurants, stores, televisions, theatrical performances, and train stations. Moving image materials include 8mm-motion picture reels depicting Sports Car Club of America auto races. Also included are Bolton's drawings in charcoal, pencil, ink, and gouache chiefly created at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1959-1964, and some collages created using photographic transfers and an oil painting. Lockjaw
