Search the Collection

Iris Murdoch

(1919-1999), Novelist and philosopher

Dame (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).

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Iris Murdoch, by Gisèle Freund - NPG P436

Iris Murdoch

by Gisèle Freund
bromide print, 1959
NPG P436

Iris Murdoch, by Nicolas Clerihew Bentley - NPG 6912

Iris Murdoch

by Nicolas Clerihew Bentley
pen and ink, circa 1961
NPG 6912

Iris Murdoch, by Arnold Newman - NPG P150(27)

Iris Murdoch

by Arnold Newman
bromide print, 1978
NPG P150(27)

Iris Murdoch, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P830

Iris Murdoch

by Lord Snowdon
vintage bromide print, 20 November 1980
NPG P830

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5921

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
oil on canvas, 1984-1986
On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5921

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(6)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
oil on board, 1984
NPG 5944(6)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(5)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
pencil, 1985
NPG 5944(5)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(7)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
oil on board, 1985
NPG 5944(7)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(1)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
conté, 1986
NPG 5944(1)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(2)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
conté, 1986
NPG 5944(2)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(3)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
conté, 1986
NPG 5944(3)

Iris Murdoch, by Tom Phillips - NPG 5944(4)

Iris Murdoch

by Tom Phillips
conté, 1986
NPG 5944(4)

John Bayley; Iris Murdoch, by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda - NPG P530

John Bayley; Iris Murdoch

by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda
colour print, 29 September 1992
NPG P530

Iris Murdoch, by Ida Kar - NPG x132970

Iris Murdoch

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x132970

Iris Murdoch, by Ida Kar - NPG x134438

Iris Murdoch

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134438

Iris Murdoch, by Ida Kar - NPG x134439

Iris Murdoch

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134439

Iris Murdoch, by Ida Kar - NPG x134440

Iris Murdoch

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1957
NPG x134440

Iris Murdoch, by Mark Gerson - NPG x88220

Iris Murdoch

by Mark Gerson
modern bromide print, October 1958
NPG x88220

Related People

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.