W.H. Auden

1 portrait of W.H. Auden

© Cecil Beaton Archive / Condé Nast

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W.H. Auden

by Cecil Beaton
bromide print, 1953
9 3/8 in. x 9 1/2 in. (238 mm x 241 mm)
Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Government and allocated to the Gallery, 1991
Photographs Collection
NPG x40006

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  • Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist or producer associated with 1114 portraits, Sitter associated with 360 portraits.

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Taken during Auden's second sitting with Beaton, when the photographer was on a lecture tour of America. From 1948, Auden was writing the sequence of poems 'Horae canonicae', inspired by the Italian island of Ischia, where he and his partner Chester Kallman spent their summers. He began to take on an increasingly public role in the literary world, serving as a judge for literary prizes and acting as a mentor to younger writers.

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Current affairs

A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.
John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.

Art and science

Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.
Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.

International

Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.

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