Breaking Barriers: The Trailblazing Career of Frances Benjamin Johnston
Learn about the remarkable career of Frances Benjamin Johnston, who broke barriers in photography and left a lasting impact on American history
Breaking Barriers: The Trailblazing Career of Frances Benjamin Johnston
Discover the trailblazing career of Frances Benjamin Johnston, the first female photographer to capture the likenesses of U.S. presidents and prominent figures
Breaking Barriers: The Trailblazing Career of Frances Benjamin Johnston
Early Life and CareerFrances Benjamin Johnston's journey to becoming a pioneering photographer began in Washington, D.C., where she was shaped by her childhood and upbringing in the nation's capital. After studying art, she turned to photography, a field dominated by men at the time. With training from Thomas Smillie, the first photographer at the Smithsonian Institution, she honed her skills and opened her own studio in Washington, D.C., in 1894. Her talent and determination quickly established her as a prominent photographer, capturing the attention of notable figures like Susan B. Anthony and Teddy Roosevelt.
Unofficial White House Photographer
Johnston's work took her to the highest levels of government, where she served as an unofficial White House photographer during President William McKinley's administration. Her documentation provided a visual narrative of African American advancement and the efforts toward racial uplift during the post-Reconstruction era. This experience not only showcased her skill but also highlighted her commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities.
Johnston's work also took her to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, in 1894, where she captured the sights and sounds of the groundbreaking event. Her photographs of notable figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington, Joel Chandler Harris, and Teddy Roosevelt and his family further solidified her reputation as a talented and versatile photographer.
Johnston was a vocal advocate for women's roles in photography. In 1897, she authored an article titled "What a Woman Can Do with a Camera," encouraging women to pursue photography as both an art form and a profession. She also co-curated an exhibition featuring works by 28 women photographers at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, promoting the recognition of women in the arts. This work not only showcased her talent but also paved the way for future generations of women in photography.
Frances Benjamin Johnston's extensive body of work offers a rich visual history of the United States during a transformative period. Her photographs not only document significant political and cultural moments but also serve as a testament to her role in advancing the presence of women in professional photography and her commitment to portraying the African American experience with dignity and respect. Johnston's legacy continues to inspire and educate, offering a unique perspective on American history and culture.
Ambassadors of Progress: American Women Photographers in Paris, 1900-1901
Link to AmazonA "That's Paris Story."
In the winter of 2015 I was in Paris for the first time, and visited the Orsay Museum. The last exhibit I went to was a collection of female photography during the 1900 Paris exposition, but also the early 20th century. The photography was amazing, as I was leaving I noticed a book (linked above) I had a feeling it contained a secret or two about history, so I decided to purchase the book.At the check out I decided to ask the checkout lady what it "that's Paris" means. Essentially it is a little thing the city does that gives people a series of "happy accidents" or unexpected coincidences that seem to only to occur in the city of Paris. I mentioned where I was from, where my Dad taught in Vallejo CA, and the check out lady asked if the city was named after Alfonso Vallejo. I said no, that it was named after Mariano Vallejo, and then promptly asked "who was Alfonso Vallejo" and she informed me that he was the admiral who arrested Christopher Columbus and brought him back to Spain for his treatment of the indigenous people of the Americas. I then asked "does every French person know that?" because as an American who grew up in a city founded by Mariano Vallejo I did not know that. Apparently this is a historical fact that is well known amongst the French people. Me and and the check out lady agreed that this little coincidence is sufficiently a "That's Paris" situation.
Upon my return, shortly thereafter I got more into learning about my hometowns of Suisun, Sonoma, Vallejo, and Solano County, and yes Mariano Vallejo was a descendent of Alfonso Vallejo. After a couple of years of this book sitting on my shelf, I opened it, and learned about Frances Benjamin Johnston, and learned she grew up in Hampton Virginia which is where my father went to High School.Which is a happy little unexpected coincidence that I think might only happen because I went to Paris.
Sources
- Frances Benjamin Johnston: A Pioneering Woman in American Photography. Lola Van Wagenen.
- From Suffrage to Photography: How Women Excelled in History.
- Frances Benjamin Johnston: A Pioneering Woman in Photography.
- Dylan Carpowich Collected Writings 2017-2021. Dylan Carpowich.
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