Identifier	mcms015
Title	H. L. Mencken at his desk at the Baltimore Herald office, talking with Wells Hawks, about 1901
Creator	Unknown
Subject	American newspapers--Maryland--Baltimore Baltimore Herald Hawks, Wells, 1871-1941 Journalists--United States Mencken, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1880-1956--Pictorial works Portrait photography
Description	Portrait photograph of H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken sitting at his desk at the Baltimore Herald office about 1901, talking with Wells Hawks who is standing next to him. This picture was a ruse: As Mencken explains, Wells Hawks, press agent for the Academy of Music in Baltimore, is supposed to be offering a bribe to Mencken, then drama editor, to publish a glowing review of a performance, with Mencken holding up his hand in refusal. Arthur W. Hawks, a school friend, and his elder brother Wells Hawks had recommended Mencken to the Herald editor for a job. (Editor's note: Mencken added the following caption below this photograph: "In the Herald office, with Wells Hawks. I was dramatic editor, and he was press agent for the Academy of Music, Baltimore. He is supposed to be offering me a bribe. He was the elder brother of Arthur W. Hawks".)
Publisher (Electronic Version)	Enoch Pratt Free Library
Holding Institution	Enoch Pratt Free Library
Date Original	ca. 1901
Date Digital	2010-10-13
Type	Image
Format	Digital reproduction of 1 black-and-white photograph, 8 x 10 cm
Source	H. L. Mencken Room; Main Photographic Scrapbook, page 3
Relation	Is Part Of the H. L. Mencken Collection Is Part Of the Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage Program
Coverage	1901-1910
Rights	This item is owned by the Estate of H. L. Mencken. Permission to publish or reproduce this item is required and must be obtained from the H. L. Mencken Estate. For more information, please call 410-396-5430 and ask to be connected to the Mencken Room.