Fonds consists of records during Frank Lennon's career at the Toronto Star. He had the opportunity to photograph many celebrities including (but not limited to): Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Johnny Cash, Pearl Bailey, Bob Hope, Victor Borge, Joni Mitchell, Sir Laurence Olivier, Henry Moore, Anne Murray, June Callwood, Ingrid Bergman, Jack Nicholson, Stompin' Tom Conners, Beau Bridges, John Belushi, The Who, Cynthia Dale; As well as document concerts including (but not limited to): Rod Stewart, T Rex, The Guess Who, Lighthouse, Frank Sinatra, Chicago, Bebe, King, Elvis Costello Depeche Mode, Cory Hart, Gordon Lightfoot, Styx, various operas, and other musical events.
He also covered athletic events including (but not limited to): Baseball, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Tennis, Toronto Stanley Cup parade in 1962, annual Grey Cup action; as well as "human interest" pieces, such as: Beauty Pageants, Hippies, "Love In", architectural images of Toronto (and GTA), fashion, discos, riots, parades, school & store openings, occupations, parties, testimonial dinners, etc; Politicians at the federal, provincial and local level; Prime Ministers, Premiers, election and convention coverage, etc.
Lennon also documented the staff, buildings, equipment, corporate events, etc at the Toronto Star, as well as other photographers covering major events, such as 1972 Summit Series and other international sporting events.
Lennon, Frank, 1927-2006 : Francis Melville "Frank" Lennon (b. Jan. 26 1927- d. Aug. 22 2006), following his father and uncle, began working for the Toronto Star in 1944, mainly running errands as an errand/messenger boy, moving into a position as a darkroom technician and wire photo receiver. It was this last position, where he was couriering photographs from the wire service in Buffalo, which inspired in him an interest in photography.
Lennon became one of the first in-house photographers hired by the Toronto Star in ca. 1960. With Frank Lennon working full time as a photographer, the Toronto Star was able to give him photographic assignments. This allowed for more visual coverage of local events and personal interest pieces. It also meant Lennon was sent to various locations on assignment, which enabled him to document many culturally significant events during his career. Lennon retired in 1990 after 47 years of service with the Toronto Star.
