The Man Behind Mister Rogers, away from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe
February 24, 2020
Fred Rogers, the popular PBS television personality of 鈥淢r. Rogers鈥 Neighborhood,鈥 was loved by children everywhere during the show鈥檚 33-year run (1968-2001). A soft-spoken and talented individual, Rogers, who was honored with numerous awards for his commitment to children, wrote hundreds of songs for the show including its theme: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.鈥 The essence of that beloved show was captured by world-renowned photojournalist, Lynn Johnson.
In 2010, the distinguished photographer and OHIO alumna, , donated her collection of works to 91视频 Libraries, which meant access to her global, award-winning photographs became available to students and researchers.
Her photos document stories of loss focusing on the many complex issues facing us today, and stories of hope that converge into a single snapshot from the eyes of everyday people鈥 like Fred Rogers.
鈥淔or more than a decade, Lynn Johnson photographed the gentle host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood: first for The Pittsburgh Press, then for Life magazine, and then for years after the assignment ended,鈥 wrote NPR author Cathy Newman. 鈥淪he was fiercely committed to documenting the man who could deeply connect with the hearts and minds of children.鈥
published in Feb. 2020, Johnson spoke about the man behind the beloved children鈥檚 television show from their shared hometown of Pittsburgh.
鈥淚t was a delight being in his energy field," said Johnson.