Iris Murdoch
(1919-1999), Novelist and philosopherDame (Jean) Iris Murdoch
Sitter in 35 portraits
Murdoch graduated with a first-class degree from Somerville College, Oxford (1942) and studied philosophy at Newnham College, Cambridge (1947-8), before becoming a tutor in the subject at St Anne's College, Oxford until 1963. Her works on philosophy include Sartre, Romantic Rationalist (1953). After publishing her first novel Under the Net in 1954, Murdoch wrote one novel a year, and in 1978 she won the booker prize for The Sea, The Sea. Described as psychological thrillers, they portray 20th century professional and intellectual middle-class life. She married John Bayley in 1956, and their struggle with her Alzheimer's Disease was the subject of his books, and the film Iris (2002).
by Lord Snowdon
vintage bromide print, 20 November 1980
NPG P830
by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda
colour print, 29 September 1992
NPG P530
by Ida Kar
modern bromide print, 1957
NPG x31659
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x132970
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134438
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134439
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134440
by Ida Kar
bromide print, 1957
NPG x135179
by Mark Gerson
modern bromide print, October 1958
NPG x88220
by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, June 1962
NPG x137675
by Yevonde
bromide print on velvet card mount, 3 May 1967
On display at The Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NPG x23319
by Yevonde
bromide print on velvet card mount, 1967
NPG x26364
by J.S. Lewinski
bromide print on card mount, 1968
NPG x13738
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 10 December 1969
NPG x127781
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 10 December 1969
NPG x87793
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 1970
NPG x87789
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1972
NPG x14153
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