Fred Rogers is an American educator, Presbyterian minister, songwriter, author, and television host. Born Fred McFeely Rodgers on March 20, 1928 in Latrobe, PA to James and Nancy Rogers, he had one sister named Elaine. He attended Latrobe High School in 1946. He studied at Dartmouth College (1946-48) then transferred to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL earning a B.A. in Music Composition in 1951.

While at Rollins, he met Sara Joanne Byrd whom he married in June 9, 1952. They had two sons named James and John. He graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1963 and was ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church.

Rogers became famous for creating and hosting the popular long-running public television children’s show Mister Roger’s Neighborhood that featured his gentle, soft-spoken personality, directness to his audiences and cardigan sweaters. In 1967, the show debuted in Pittsburgh and was picked up the next year by CBS. It became a staple of public TV stations around the US. It ended in 2001 but reruns continued to be aired in many PBS stations.

Because of his displeasure with the way the television addressed children, he made an effort to change this. He began to write for and perform on local Pittsburgh-are shows dedicated to the youth. In 1968, WQED developed his own show and it was distributed nationwide by Eastern Educational Television Network.

Fred Rogers became an indelible American icon of children’s entertainment and education as well as a symbol of compassion, patience and morality. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, some forty honorary degrees and a Peabody Award. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. He was recognized by two Congressional resolutions. He was ranked No. 35 among the Fifty Greatest TV Stars of All Time by TV Guide. Various buildings and artworks in Pennsylvania are dedicated in his memory. The Smithsonian Institution displays one of his trademark sweaters as a Treasure of American History. In February 27, 2003, he died of stomach cancer.