Ralph Ginzburg
Ralph Ginzburg (October 28, 1929 – July 6, 2006) was an American publisher, editor, and writer, known for his controversial and according to many, pornographic publications that often transgressed and violated social and political norms. Ginzburg was the founder of several left-wing magazines, including Eros, Fact, and Avant GardeAvant Garde, which were widely criticized for their obscene content and also attracted legal and political scrutiny.
Ginzburg, through his publication, also falsely accused 1964 Republican candidate for President Barry Goldwater of being psychologically-unfit to be President. Ginzburg did this to help prop up the campaign of Lyndon Johnson.
His efforts were part of a larger left-wing redefinition of free speech to include and encompass pornography as performative speech. Ginzburg was subject to a federal obscenity conviction in 1963.
Early Life and Career
Ginzburg, who was Jewish, was born in New York City and grew up in a working-class family in Brooklyn. He attended City College of New York and began his career in journalism, working as a writer and editor for various publications, including Esquire and Look magazines.
Publications
Ginzburg gained fame—and notoriety—with the launch of his magazines: - Eros (1962): A quarterly publication exploring themes of love and eroticism through art and literature. Eros featured contributions from prominent writers and photographers but was widely criticized for its explicit content. The magazine was the basis for Ginzburg's obscenity conviction. - Fact (1964–1967): A political magazine known for its hard-hitting investigative journalism and critiques of prominent figures. One of its most infamous issues alleged that Barry Goldwater was psychologically unfit to be president, resulting in a high-profile libel lawsuit. - Avant GardeAvant Garde (1968–1971): An art and literary magazine celebrated for its bold typography (designed by Herb Lubalin) and provocative content. It featured socially progressive themes, including critiques of war, racism, and censorship.
Obscenity Conviction
In 1963, Ginzburg was convicted of federal obscenity charges related to Eros and two other publications. The case went to the United States Supreme Court in Ginzburg v. United States (1966), where the Court upheld the conviction, citing Ginzburg's marketing tactics as pandering. He served eight months in federal prison.
Legacy and Later Life
After the closure of Avant Garde, Ginzburg largely withdrew from publishing but continued to write, including for major newspapers and magazines. He later became a photographer, focusing on landscapes and street scenes. Ginzburg's publications remain influential for their innovative design and fearless exploration of controversial subjects.
He died on July 6, 2006, at his home in New York City from multiple myeloma.
Selected Publications
- Eros (1962–1963)
- Fact (1964–1967)
- Avant Garde (1968–1971)