Maxwell King, CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation, did not expect to be the first to write a biography of Mr. Rogers, but when the widow of the beloved television personality proposed it, he immediately accepted, writes John Timpane for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

While researching for the book, King discovered much about Mr. Rogers, including what a complicated person he was.

“Nothing about him was accidental,” said King. “His cultural power comes from the very focused, intentional way he led his life.”

He also found Mr. Rogers to be a leader.

“When you consider Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, he took the cutting-edge technology of the day, television, in a direction completely different from the one it was taking,” he said. “Children’s TV was fast and loud; he slowed it down, made it thoughtful.”

Now after a seven-year journey, The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers is finally ready. The book will be presented at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch on Sept. 24 by both the author and David Newell, Mr. Rogers’ longtime sidekick Mr. McFeely.

Half of the book’s royalties are being donated to the Fred Rogers Center.

Read more about the biography of Mr. Rogers in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.