Brendan Behan
(1923-1964), Writer and playwrightSitter 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).
by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(20)
by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(21)
by Sir David Low
pencil, circa 1950s-1963
NPG 4529(22)
by Daniel Farson
glossy bromide print, 1 August 1952
NPG x22186
by Daniel Farson
bromide print, 1 August 1952
NPG x22187
by Daniel Farson
bromide press print, August 1952
NPG x136264
by Peter Keen
bromide print, mid 1950s
NPG x36004
by Peter Keen
bromide print, mid 1950s
NPG x36005
by Ida Kar
vintage bromide print, 1959
NPG x88613
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
by Ida Kar
2 1/4 inch square film negative, 1959
NPG x138228
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