Thomas James Abercrombie, 75, a legendary National Geographic magazine photographer and writer, an NPPA life member since 1952 and a WHNPA member since 1960, died Monday afternoon at Johns Hopkins Hospital following heart surgery. Abercrombie was on the magazine¹s staff for 38 years. For the October 1966 issue of the magazine he took the first photographs of Mecca published in the Western world. He joined National Geographic in 1956 five years after graduating from Macalister College in St. Paul, MN, with a degree in art and journalism. Before National Geographic he was a staff photographer for The Milwaukee Journal, where he was Newspaper Photographer of the Year for his portfolio in 1954
A memorial service will be held Friday, January 13, at 10:30 a.m. in Room SDG 50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building, First and C Streets NE. Parking is available at Union Station. Please allow time to pass through security.
Contributions may be sent to the Rosenbaum Family Fund at the Community Foundation of the National Capital Region. The Rosenbaum Family Fund supports critically needed services for women and children in the District of Columbia. Make checks payable to Rosenbaum Family Fund/CFNCR, 1201 15th St. NW, Suite 420, Washington, DC 20005.
