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Brendan Behan

(1923-1964), Writer and playwright

Sitter in 15 portraits
Dublin born writer and playwright, Brendan Behan first began to write while imprisoned for IRA terrorist activities. His first play The Quare Fellow (1954, filmed 1962) and subsequent play The Hostage (1958), were both produced by influential theatre director Joan Littlewood. Behan's autobiographical novel Borstal Boy (1958) also helped establish his reputation as a leading Irish writer. In 1955 he married Beatrice ffrench-Salkeld, the daughter of painter Cecil ffrench-Salkeld. Beatrice would illustrate Behan's book Hold Your Hour and Have Another (1963), and after his early death in 1964, published the memoir My Life with Brendan (1974).

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Brendan Behan

by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(20)

Brendan Behan

by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(21)

Brendan Behan

by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(22)

Brendan Behan

by Daniel Farson
glossy bromide print, 1 August 1952
NPG x22186

Lucian Freud; Brendan Behan

by Daniel Farson
bromide print, 1 August 1952
NPG x22187

Brendan Behan

by Daniel Farson
bromide press print, August 1952
NPG x136264

Brendan Behan

by Peter Keen
bromide print, mid 1950s
NPG x36004

Brendan Behan

by Peter Keen
bromide print, mid 1950s
NPG x36005

Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1959
NPG x88613

Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1959
NPG x88614

Brendan Behan and Beatrice Behan (née Ffrench-Salkeld)

by Michael Peto
modern bromide print from original negative, September 1959
NPG x137671

Beatrice Behan (née Ffrench-Salkeld); Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1959
NPG x138146

Beatrice Behan (née Ffrench-Salkeld); Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1959
NPG x138226

Beatrice Behan (née Ffrench-Salkeld); Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1959
NPG x138227

Brendan Behan

by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1959
NPG x138228

Related People

Beatrice Behan (née Ffrench-Salkeld) (wife)

Groups

Place

Ireland

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Brendan Behan