Penelope Ruth Mortimer; John Mortimer
5 of 13 portraits of John Mortimer
© Mark Gerson/ Camera Press
Penelope Ruth Mortimer; John Mortimer
by Mark Gerson, for Camera Press: London: UK
bromide press print, 1961
6 3/8 in. x 6 in. (163 mm x 152 mm) image size
Transferred from Evening Standard Library, before 1983
Photographs Collection
NPG x184098
Sittersback to top
- Sir John Clifford Mortimer (1923-2009), Barrister, playwright and writer. Sitter in 13 portraits.
- Penelope Ruth Mortimer (née Fletcher) (1918-1999), Novelist; former wife of Charles Dimont, and later wife of Sir John Clifford Mortimer; daughter of Arthur Forbes Gerald Fletcher. Sitter in 11 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Camera Press: London: UK, Photographers. Artist or producer associated with 102 portraits.
- Mark Gerson (1921-), Photographer. Artist or producer associated with 277 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1961back to top
Current affairs
Peter Benenson's article The Forgotten Prisoners is published internationally, inspiring the founding of the human rights organisation, Amnesty International.The philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell is imprisoned for inciting civil disobedience during a sit down demonstration at the Ministry of Defence and Hyde Park.
The farthing coin - used in Britain for the last 7 centuries - ceases to be legal tender.
Art and science
Rudolf Nureyev defects from the USSR fearing that the KGB would arrest him for being gay and for fraternising with foreigners. After seeking asylum in Paris he set up home in London at the Royal Ballet and began his famous partnership with Margot Fonteyn.The satirical magazine, Private Eye is first published.
International
The East German government erects the Berlin Wall, ceasing free movement between East and West Berlin. The barrier prevented citizens of Soviet controlled East Germany from crossing the border into West Germany to work, or to defect.Yuri Gagarin, the soviet cosmonaut, becomes the first man in space orbiting the earth on the 12th April.
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