Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer

Sitter associated with 314 portraits
Artist associated with 1051 portraits
Born in Hampstead, Beaton became interested in photography as a young boy, inspired by postcards showing actresses of the period. His career as a portrait photographer took off after meeting the Sitwells in 1926. In 1927 he signed his first contract with Vogue, with which he was associated throughout his life. During the war he worked for the Ministry of Information, recording the war in Britain, the Middle and Far East. After the war he developed as a designer for stage, film, ballet and opera, working with Noel Coward and others. His most famous stage production was My Fair Lady (1956), the musical based on Shaw's Pygmalion. He was awarded two Oscars for the film version in 1965.