Frances B Johnston Collection
Frances B. Johnston was a pioneering photographer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her innovative portraits and documentary work
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Frances B. Johnston was a pioneering photographer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her innovative portraits and documentary work. Her photographs captured the essence of American life during a time of great change, from the Gilded Age to the Progressive Era. Johnston's images are celebrated for their intimate and candid portrayal of subjects, whether they be prominent figures or everyday people. Born in Grafton, West Virginia in 1864, Johnston began her career as a portrait photographer in Washington D.C., where she gained recognition for her skillful use of natural light and composition. She later traveled extensively throughout the United States, documenting various social issues such as child labor and immigration. Johnston's most famous project was her documentation of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in Virginia, an historically black college founded after the Civil War. Her photographs from this series provide a rare glimpse into African American life at the turn of the century, showcasing both resilience and dignity. In addition to her documentary work, Johnston also excelled in portraiture, capturing notable figures such as Mark Twain, Susan B. Anthony, and Theodore Roosevelt with grace and sensitivity. Despite facing discrimination as a female photographer in a male-dominated industry, Frances B. Johnston persevered and left behind a lasting legacy through her powerful imagery that continues to inspire photographers today.