George Rodger

George Rodger was born in Hale, Cheshire, in 1908. After studying at St. Bedes College (1921-25) he served in the British Merchant Navy until 1929.

Rodger moved to the United States where he tried to find work as a photographer. He was largely unsuccessful until being employed by the BBC (1936-38). Rodger then joined the Black Star Agency and his photographs were sold to The Tatler, the Daily Sketch, and the Illustrated London News.

In 1939 Rodger was recruited to the staff of Life Magazine and during the Second World War he photographed the Blitz before joining the Allied forces in North Africa, Burma, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium and Germany. In April 1945 Rodger was the first Allied photographer to enter Belsen concentration camp.

George Rodger died in 1995.