FREEDOM AND IMPEACHMENT: “The Courage of Edmund G. Ross”

June 2019 AHS Program

Book Cover -Edmund G. Ross: Soldier, Senator, AbolitionistOn Sunday, June 16, 2019 at 2 pm, there will be a premiere of the locally produced PBS documentary: FREEDOM AND IMPEACHMENT: “The Courage of Edmund G. Ross”, former Territorial Governor of New Mexico. It is based on the biography by Richard A. Ruddy: “Edmund G. Ross: Soldier, Senator, Abolitionist” (UNM Press, 2013). Meet members of the Albuquerque Historical Society, the author of the award-winning biography, the documentary producers, musicians and actors, and members of the Ross family.

Ross’s life spanned many of the critical challenges facing the nation in the 19th century. He played pivotal roles affecting freedom for slaves, the Civil War, westward expansion, congressional overreach, and political corruption. As a U.S. Senator, his historic vote against the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson reflected his great personal courage, but ended his political career at the national level.

Nearly a half century later, he was memorialized in Senator John F. Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage. Ross’s life was a great American adventure story, and is now a documentary soon be seen on New Mexico PBS.

Read more in the Albuquerque Journal article “Film honors courage under fire“.

The program will be held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. Parking is free in the lot south of the Museum. Admission to the Museum and the AHS program is also free.

Photo of Richard RuddyAuthor Richard Ruddy is a long time Albuquerque resident and assists with interviews of established local businesses as part of Historic ABQ, Inc. He helped train the guides for the AHS Downtown Central Ave. walking tours and has spoken at numerous meetings of the Historical Society of NM. Ruddy is well known as a professional photographer and has had a long time interest in Albuquerque and New Mexico history. In 2014, UNM Press published his award winning biography of New Mexico Territorial Governor Edmund G. Ross. In 2006, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the New Mexico Advertising Federation. Ruddy is a member of the Albuquerque Historical Society, Historic Albuquerque Inc. and the Historical Society of New Mexico.