Working for the Associated Press in the White House, John Rous took photographs of political and military leaders beginning in the 1940s until the early 1970s. There are many photographs of Presidents (signed and unsigned), world leaders such as Fidel Castro and Winston Churchill, and of Royalty- the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Queen Elizabeth. Of particular interest is the well-known photograph of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, arriving in Washington the evening of President Kennedy's assassination in 1963. There are also award-winning photographs, such as President Lyndon Johnson's casual pose in "Relaxed President," President Johnson and Vice-President Hubert Humphrey in "Hither and Yon." and "Tragedy at the Morgue." In addition to the photographs, the collection includes political memorabilia. During his career, Rous received numerous official invitations to White House dinners and receptions, as well as personal Christmas cards and letters from Presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson. He also collected several pens used by President Johnson to sign various bills, and a few items from Air Force One.