Frances Benjamin Johnston

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frances Benjamin Johnston, full-length portrait, seated in front of fireplace, facing left, holding cigarette in one hand and a beer stein in the other, in her Washington, D.C. studio, 1896

Frances "Fannie" Benjamin Johnston (15 January 1864–16 May 1952) was one of the earliest American female photographers and photojournalists. During her career, she photographed such individuals as Susan B. Anthony, Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington. She was the official White House photographer for the Harrison, Cleveland, McKinley, "TR" Roosevelt, and Taft presidential administrations. In 1899, she gained further notability when she was commissioned to photograph the success of the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Hampton, Virginia; it was the first educational establishment to admit African and Native Americans.

Her first camera was a gift from George Eastman, a close friend of the family, and inventor of the Eastman Kodak cameras.

This article about an American photographer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[edit] External links

• RootsWeb Family Tree
• Richard Bland College Biography (PDF format)
• GLBTQ biography
• The Woman Behind the Lens, biography and details on the book
• A Gift From George Eastman, detailed biography with photographs