Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/A/A2/14a/116
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 10 Aug. 1952 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
3 p. paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Photographer, artist, writer, and designer of scenery and costumes. Educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge, 1922-5. Made his name as a photographer through portraits of the Sitwells. Employed by Vogue in London and New York. Published 'The Book of Beauty' (1930). Photographed the Duke of Windsor's wedding, 1937. War photographer, 1939-45. Designed 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 1945. Designed costumes for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina', 1948. Worked on 'The School for Scandal', 1949, 'Quadrille' for Noel Coward, 1952, 'Turandot', 1961, and 'La Traviata', 1966. Designed costumes for 'My Fair Lady', 1956, and for the film version in Hollywood, 1963. His play 'The Gainsborough Girls', 1951 and 1959, was unsuccessful. Published 'The Glass of Fashion' (1954), and six volumes of diaries. Exhibited photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, 1968. Knighted 1972.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Describes summer at Reddish. Writes that he has just returned from Scotland where he put the finishing touches to the Lunts, who are playing in Noël Coward's 'Quadrille'. The production is a success. Considers what to do during his month off. Mentions that his mother has had a heart attack. Discusses Clarissa's marriage to Anthony Eden. Sends news that Hal Burton is taking five plays to Bermuda and has written Garbo a letter, which Beaton will send on to her. Mentions David Herbert.