Sir Kingsley Amis and family

1 portrait of Sally Myfanwy Amis

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© estate of Daniel Farson / National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Kingsley Amis and family

by Daniel Farson
modern bromide print, 18 June 1956
Given by Daniel Farson, 1994
Photographs Collection
NPG x135684

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Artistback to top

  • Daniel Farson (1927-1997), Photographer and writer. Artist or producer of 47 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Farson travelled to Swansea where Amis lectured at the University of Wales. The author of Lucky Jim (1954) and winner of the Somerset Maugham Award told Farson, 'I still can't believe it's happening to us. I used to snatch at three guineas for a poem...We were pretty well on our uppers, when we had another kid we were desperate. Only in the last eighteen months have we lived as well as we want.' Farson stayed the night with Kingsley Amis, his wife Hilary and their children Martin (novelist, b.1949), Philip (b.1948) and Sally (1954-2000).

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Events of 1956back to top

Current affairs

The first supermarket opens in Britain. Inspired by the new innovation in America, Jack Cohen opened his first Tesco supermarket in Essex.
The First Clean Air Act is passed in response to the 'Pea Soup' smog over London.

Art and science

Pop Art is seen for the first time in the This is Tomorrow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition included Richard Hamilton's iconic collage: What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?
John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger opens at the Royal Court Theatre, introducing the phrase 'Angry young man' to describe the new movement of gritty, post-war realism in literature.

International

The Suez Crisis rocked Eden's premiership and marked the decline of British world power and influence in favour of America. In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez canal. Although Britain and France, who had owned the canal since the 19th century, invaded Egypt, they were soon persuaded to withdraw by US President Eisenhower who disapproved of the occupation.

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