Lincoln, September 29, 2025
News Summary
Peter Southwick, a renowned photographer known for capturing significant events in the 1980s, passed away at 74 after a battle with cancer. His impressive career included covering presidential campaigns, Super Bowls, and Boston Marathons. Recognized for his talent, Southwick transitioned from photography to teaching, influencing many future photojournalists. His legacy lives on through his work and community projects, with a memorial service set for October 25 in Arlington.
Lincoln — Peter Southwick died on September 15 in Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln after a three-year battle with cancer; he was 74 years old.
Summary
Peter Southwick was a prominent photographer in the 1980s who captured pivotal news and sports events, including two presidential campaigns and their corresponding national conventions, the trials of Claus von Bulow, Prince Charles’s visit to Harvard, two Super Bowls, three NBA Finals, four consecutive World Series and annual Boston Marathons. His work spanned high-profile political, legal and sporting moments and later shifted toward editing, teaching and community projects.
Key facts and career highlights
Early interest and training: Southwick began taking photographs at age 9 and became serious about photography as a teenager. He started his career at Harvard University’s student newspaper and later freelanced for national magazines and regional publications.
Professional progression: He worked as a photographer and photo editor at a local alternative weekly and later at a city tabloid before joining a major wire service in 1980. While working for the wire service in the 1980s, he covered major national events and top-tier sporting contests, operating under intense deadlines and frequent pressure to capture defining images.
Recognition: He received over a dozen awards from Boston and National press photographers’ associations for his photography, and his images were published widely in national newspapers.
Editorial leadership: He served as picture editor and then as director of photography at a major regional newspaper for nine years from 1990 until 2000, overseeing visual coverage and guiding newsroom photo staff.
Teaching career: In 2002, he began teaching photojournalism at Boston University, becoming an associate professor and retiring in 2017. His teaching emphasized ethical practice, visual storytelling, and newsroom standards, and he is remembered by students and colleagues for his influence on younger photographers.
Personal life and community work
Family: He was dedicated to his family, prioritizing time with his wife, Jean Rosenberg, and their two children, Natalie and Lindsay.
Community involvement: Southwick was actively involved with The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, contributing his photography and serving on its board. He also launched the project “Route 27 South,” intertwining photographs and audio recordings from interviews with local residents in Maine.
Legacy and memorial
Colleagues and former students remember Southwick for a strong moral compass, a passion for visual storytelling and a commitment to ethics in journalism. His influence endures through the photographs he made, the editors and photographers he mentored, and the community projects he led.
A memorial service is scheduled for October 25 at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington.
Background context
Southwick’s career reflects a path taken by many who moved from early interest in photography through student media, freelancing and then staff roles in daily newsrooms and wire services. His later transition to editing and teaching followed decades of frontline coverage at major public events and sports championships. The awards he received from press photographers’ associations reflect peer recognition of technical skill and the power of his images to convey important moments to a wide audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Peter Southwick die?
Peter Southwick died on September 15 in Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln after a three-year battle with cancer; he was 74 years old.
What major events did he photograph?
He was a prominent photographer in the 1980s who captured pivotal news and sports events, including two presidential campaigns and their corresponding national conventions, the trials of Claus von Bulow, Prince Charles’s visit to Harvard, two Super Bowls, three NBA Finals, four consecutive World Series and annual Boston Marathons.
Where did he start his career?
He started his career at Harvard University’s student newspaper and later freelanced for national magazines and regional publications.
What roles did he hold in newsroom leadership?
He served as picture editor and then as director of photography at a major regional newspaper for nine years from 1990 until 2000.
When did he teach and where?
In 2002, he began teaching photojournalism at Boston University, becoming an associate professor and retiring in 2017.
What community projects and involvement did he have?
Southwick was actively involved with The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, contributing his photography and serving on its board.
Did he create any notable personal projects?
He launched the project “Route 27 South,” intertwining photographs and audio recordings from interviews with local residents in Maine.
When is the memorial service?
A memorial service is scheduled for October 25 at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington.
Quick reference table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Peter Southwick |
| Age at death | 74 |
| Date and place of death | September 15 — Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln |
| Major assignments | Two presidential campaigns and conventions; trials of Claus von Bulow; Prince Charles’s visit to Harvard; two Super Bowls; three NBA Finals; four consecutive World Series; annual Boston Marathons |
| Editorial roles | Photographer and photo editor at local publications; picture editor and director of photography at a major regional newspaper (1990–2000) |
| Teaching | Boston University photojournalism faculty, associate professor (2002–2017) |
| Community work | The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor (board and photography); project “Route 27 South” |
| Memorial | October 25 — First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington |
| Family | Wife: Jean Rosenberg; Children: Natalie and Lindsay |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Boston Globe: Peter Southwick Passes Away
- Boothbay Register: Peter Southwick
- Wiscasset Newspaper: Peter Southwick Photography Exhibit
- The Boston Globe: Terence Crosbie Case
- Arlington Advocate: Former AP Photographer
- Wikipedia: Peter Southwick
- Google Search: Peter Southwick
- Google Scholar: Peter Southwick
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Peter Southwick
- Google News: Peter Southwick
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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