George Rodger was born on March 19, 1908 and was a British photojournalist. He was famous for taking the first photographs of the death camps at Bergen-Belsen at the end of WWII. He also took brilliant photos in Africa.

Rodger went to St. Bees School in Cumberland, England. After his studies, he joined the British Merchant then sailed around the world. His photography tells of his travels. He tried to publish his work, but to no avail failed to do so. During a stopover in America, he failed to find a job to finance his writing (and photography). He returned in his homeland in 1936 instead. Luckily, he was employed as a photographer in London. He worked for BBC’s The Listener Magazine. In 1938, he worked for Black Star Agency as a stint artist.

Because of Rodger’s will to work during the world war, his photographs earned him many notifications. He works made him war correspondence for Life Magazine. He went to West Africa and covered the war. He stayed until liberation of France, Belgium and Holland happened. He was the first photojournalist to drive the Burma Road to China, with permission from Chinese military and the General. He also witnessed British forces retreating in Burma. Because of his eagerness to feature outbreaks of war, Rodger become internationally acclaimed among photographers.

Rodger was the very first photographer to get inside the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen in 1945. His photo works of the few survivors and piles of corpses and bones were published in Life and Time magazine. They were highly influential in showing the reality of the death camps. This moving portrait moves a lot of individuals affected by the war. His stay at the camp, however, brought a traumatic experience. He often imagines those corpses.

This experience made Rodger to conclude that he should not work as a war correspondent anymore. He left Life Magazine. He quit being a war reporter/journalist/photographer. Then, he traveled throughout Africa and the Middle East, continuing to document the place’s life and people. He pictured life in the wildlife. He enjoyed different scenarios and taking photos. Being a free lance photographer makes Rodger notable to viewers. During 1947, Rodger, together with many excellent photographers, founded Magnum Photos. This organization is a prominent group of photographers who share the ideals of promoting quality and real-life photography. He enjoyed being a free-lance photographer. His most recent works include many trips and side-trips, photos of people, landscape and nature of Africa. Famous George Rodger works are published in National Geographic Magazine. His works in Africa were published in National Geo as well as other prestigious magazines and leading newspapers.

His life and works through this day is remembered. He is one great pioneer in the broad field of photography—especially Photojournalism. Although be eventually became a freelance photographer, his excellent work in war camps is award-winning. It holds a special part of the hearts of many photography lovers.