Gore Vidal, the eclectic writer who faithfully chronicled the major shifts and upheavals in the United States, appears at a Rome literary festival in 2006. Vidal died Tuesday, July 31, of complications from pneumonia, a nephew said. He was 86.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Gore Vidal, the eclectic writer who faithfully chronicled the major shifts and upheavals in the United States, appears at a Rome literary festival in 2006. Vidal died Tuesday, July 31, of complications from pneumonia, a nephew said. He was 86.
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Vidal, at 21, poses for a portrait in 1947. In all, he wrote some 25 novels, two successful Broadway plays, numerous screenplays and more than 200 essays.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal, at 21, poses for a portrait in 1947. In all, he wrote some 25 novels, two successful Broadway plays, numerous screenplays and more than 200 essays.
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Vidal at home in an undated picture. Vidal's 1948 work, "The City and the Pillar," featuring an openly gay character, brought him notoriety at a time when homosexuality was still considered immoral.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal at home in an undated picture. Vidal's 1948 work, "The City and the Pillar," featuring an openly gay character, brought him notoriety at a time when homosexuality was still considered immoral.
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Vidal with Mike Wallace in the CBS newsroom in 1978. Vidal would refer to himself as a once-famous novelist relegated to going on television because people "seldom read anymore."
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal with Mike Wallace in the CBS newsroom in 1978. Vidal would refer to himself as a once-famous novelist relegated to going on television because people "seldom read anymore."
CBS/Landov
Barry Commoner, from left, Vidal and Studs Terkel in 1980. In his later years, Vidal often appeared on the TV talk-show circuit, going head-to-head against those with opposing views.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Barry Commoner, from left, Vidal and Studs Terkel in 1980. In his later years, Vidal often appeared on the TV talk-show circuit, going head-to-head against those with opposing views.
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Vidal at his home in Italy in 1993. Vidal relished his role as provocateur, as an anti-establishmentarian and as a self-proclaimed conspiracy "analyst."
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal at his home in Italy in 1993. Vidal relished his role as provocateur, as an anti-establishmentarian and as a self-proclaimed conspiracy "analyst."
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Vidal and Susan Sarandon appear backstage during the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 2003 tribute to the Oscar-winning actress in New York.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal and Susan Sarandon appear backstage during the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 2003 tribute to the Oscar-winning actress in New York.
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Vidal on the terrace of his Italian residence in Ravello in 2004.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal on the terrace of his Italian residence in Ravello in 2004.
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Vidal in his studio in 2004.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal in his studio in 2004.
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Vidal appears at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2007. He never shied away from controversy -- either actively courting it or inviting it through his acerbic one-liners.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal appears at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in 2007. He never shied away from controversy -- either actively courting it or inviting it through his acerbic one-liners.
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Vidal attends a Museum of Contemporary Arts gala in Los Angeles in 2009.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal attends a Museum of Contemporary Arts gala in Los Angeles in 2009.
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Vidal and Jane Fonda embrace at the Stoney Awards in 2011.
Gore Vidal through the years —
Vidal and Jane Fonda embrace at the Stoney Awards in 2011.
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