Rossiter Johnson papers

Rossiter Johnson, writer and editor, was born in Rochester, New York on January 27, 1840. He graduated from the University of Rochester, Class of 1863. The honorary degrees of Ph.D and L.L.D. were conferred upon him by the University in 1888 and 1893 respectively. Johnson was the author of a wide variety of books, mostly classical and historical literature. Among his best known works was "Phaeton Rogers" a story of boy life in early Rochester. Johnson edited several important encyclopedias, dictionaries, books, and was one of the first editors to publish "pocket" editions of the classics. He held a number of positions, president of New York Association of P.B.K., 1897-1898, president of The People's University Extension Society of New York City, 1898- first president of the Society of the Genesee, 1899; successively secretary, chairman, and treasurer of the New York Authors Club, 1890-1914; and member of the Century Association. Johnson was married twice. His first wife was Helen Kendrick, daughter of Asahel Clark Kendrick, a long­time faculty member at the University of Rochester, and his second wife was Mary Agnes Keyes. He had two daughters and a son. Johnson died on October 3, 1931, at his home in Amagansett, Long Island at the age of 91.