Hunter S. Thompson (1937-2005) was an American journalist and author known for his books Hell’s Angels, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ‘72. His collaboration with the artist Ralph Steadman “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” became the first known example of Gonzo Journalism and spawned a decades long relationship between the author and artist.

Thompson ran unsuccessfully for Pitkin County Sheriff in 1970 and produced numerous works of political artwork with activist Thomas W. Benton. The Wall Poster series and the famous “Thompson for Sheriff” poster helped promote Thompson’s freak power platform in Aspen, Colorado. He continued to collaborate with Benton and Steadman throughout his life and even created his own style of “shotgun” Artwork in the 1990’s, creating works of art until his death in 2005.