Sir Roger Bannister; Sir Christopher John Chataway
1 portrait by Central Press
© Getty Images
Sir Roger Bannister; Sir Christopher John Chataway
by Central Press
bromide print, 6 May 1954
8 7/8 in. x 7 in. (226 mm x 177 mm)
Given by IPC Newspapers Limited, 1971
Photographs Collection
NPG x45737
On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
Sittersback to top
- Sir Roger Bannister (1929-2018), Physician and middle distance runner; Olympian and first person to break the four minute mile. Sitter in 4 portraits.
- Sir Christopher John Chataway (1931-2014), Politician; MP for Lewisham North and Chichester, television broadcaster and middle and long distance runner; Olympian. Sitter in 17 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This photograph commemorates the historic moment in 1954 when Bannister ran a mile in under four minutes. Chataway acted as one of his pacemakers. Both runners studied at Oxford University and had competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Picturing Friendship (30 June 2018 - 13 May 2019)
- Athletes and Olympians (20 March 2008 - 28 September 2008)
Events of 1954back to top
Current affairs
Roger Bannister runs the four-minute mile. Bannister was the first man to achieve the 'miracle mile', a feat that was thought by some to be impossible, beating his rival, the Australian John Landy, to the record. Bannister went on to a career as a distinguished neurologist.Food rationing ends in Britain.
Art and science
J.R.R. Tolkien publishes the first two parts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Tolkien was an Oxford professor of Anglo-Saxon language and literature and drew on his scholarly interests in history, language and mythology to create the fictional land of Middle Earth where the books are set.Williams Golding publishes, Lord of the Flies.
International
The South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) is established in Bangkok. This international defence organisation was established as part of the 'containment' policy of limiting the influence of communism. SEATO was, however, found to be ineffective as the member organisations failed to agree on combined action; it was disbanded in 1977.Comments back to top
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