The Falling Man is a photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Richard Drew of a man falling from the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks in New York City. The unidentified man in the image was trapped on the upper floors of the North Tower, and it is unclear whether he fell while searching for safety or jumped to escape the fire and smoke. The photograph was taken at 9:41:15 A.M.
The photograph was widely criticized after publication in international media on September 12, 2001, with readers labeling the image as disturbing, cold-blooded, ghoulish, and sadistic.[1][2] However, in the years following, the photo has gained acclaim.[3] Elton John, who purchased it for his personal collection, called it "one of the most perfect photographs ever taken".[4]
A Time magazine retrospective published in 2016 stated: "Falling Man's identity is still unknown, but he is believed to have been an employee at the Windows on the World restaurant, which sat atop the North Tower. The true power of Falling Man, however, is less about who its subject was and more about what he became: a makeshift Unknown Soldier in an often unknown and uncertain war, suspended forever in history."[5]
- ^ Howe, Peter (2001). "Richard Drew". The Digital Journalist. Archived from the original on June 27, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "EXCERPT: 20 years on, 'The Falling Man' is still you and me". AP NEWS. September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Richard Drew on his 9/11 image Falling Man, and documenting history". Firstpost. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ Sir Elton John’s album - CBS News
- ^ "The Story Behind the Haunting 9/11 Photo of the Falling Man". Time. September 8, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2022.