Johnston Paintings

Francis Johnston, often known as Frances Benjamin Johnston, was an American photographer and photojournalist whose career spanned the early 20th century. Born on January 15, 1879, in Grafton, West Virginia, Johnston was a trailblazer in the field of photography, especially as a woman in a predominantly male profession. She was well-educated, having studied at the Académie Julian in Paris and the Washington Students League. Her interest in photography was nurtured through training with Thomas Smillie, the director of photography at the Smithsonian Institution.

Johnston opened her own studio in Washington, D.C., in the 1890s and quickly established herself as a professional by taking portraits of famous individuals, including Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington, and Susan B. Anthony. With her camera, Johnston captured the evolving American landscape, the social elite, progressive educational practices, and the architectural heritage of the burgeoning nation.

Her work took a significant turn when she embarked on a project to document the early architecture of the American South, which resulted in a vast body of work that was crucial in the historic preservation movement of the early 20th century. Her photographs of these historical structures are still important records of American heritage. During her career, Johnston also lectured extensively and wrote numerous articles promoting photography as a career for women.

Frances Benjamin Johnston was a passionate advocate for the advancement of women in the arts and played a significant role in mentoring future generations of female photographers. She never married, and her lifelong partner was Mattie Edwards Hewitt, a fellow photographer with whom she sometimes collaborated.

Johnston's legacy is preserved in the collections of several prominent institutions, including the Library of Congress, which houses the majority of her photographs and papers. Her contributions to the field of photography and the preservation of American architectural history are well recognized. Frances Benjamin Johnston passed away on May 16, 1946, leaving behind an extraordinary portfolio that continues to be studied and appreciated for its artistic and historical significance.