W.H. Auden
(1907-1973), PoetWystan Hugh ('W.H.') Auden
Sitter in 43 portraits
The third son of a doctor and a missionary nurse, Wystan Hugh Auden grew up in Solihull and described his early advantages as 'good genes and good education'. He is best known for his poems of the 1930s and 1940s (Poems, 1930, Look, Stranger!, 1936, For the Time Being, 1945) and for his collaborations with Christopher Isherwood (The Dog Beneath the Skin, 1935, The Ascent of F6, 1936, On the Frontier, 1938). His later publications included The Sea and the Mirror (1944) and The Shield of Achilles (1955). He travelled to Barcelona to support the Republican cause.
by James Soame
bromide print, 1926
NPG P417
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print on white card mount, 1930
NPG P869(3)
copy by E. Maurice Feild
lithographic print, 1982, based on a work of 1935
NPG 5544
copy by E. Maurice Feild
lithographic print, 1982, based on a work of 1935
NPG 5543
School photograph including John Bicknell Auden; John Lea Nevinson and W.H. Auden
by Elliott & Fry
bromide print, circa 1917
NPG x25119
by Alec Bangham
modern bromide print from original negative, 1935
NPG x133302
W.H. Auden; Sir William Menzies Coldstream; Benjamin Britten
by Unknown photographer
snapshot print, 1937
NPG x15191
W.H. Auden; Hedli Anderson; Sir William Menzies Coldstream
by Unknown photographer
snapshot print, 1937
NPG x15192
by Howard Coster
black and white glossy print, 1937
NPG x134
W.H. Auden; Christopher Isherwood; Stephen Spender
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1937
NPG x2947
W.H. Auden; Christopher Isherwood; Stephen Spender
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1937
NPG x2948
W.H. Auden; Christopher Isherwood; Stephen Spender
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1937
NPG x2949
W.H. Auden; Christopher Isherwood; Stephen Spender
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1937
NPG x2950
W.H. Auden; Christopher Isherwood; Stephen Spender
by Howard Coster
half-plate film negative, 1937
NPG x2951
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.