Cecil Beaton

1904 - 1980

England Harrow- and Cambridge-educated Cecil Beaton made his name as a photographer of theatrical, royal and society luminaries. In the thirties, he designed sets and costumes for ballet, opera and films. It was also in this decade Beaton began to photograph the royal family. After the war,he was designing theatre productions, in both London and New York. He famously won Oscars for the flowing elegance of his costume design for Gigi and My Fair Lady. His films were almost invariably set in high society - or in the demi-monde at least. Beaton was chosen as official photographer for many royal events, such as the coronation, and photographing the Queen's children. He was equally successful in the 1960s, again at the forefront of society and fashion, capturing its beauty. He was made a CBE in 1957 and knighted in 1972.

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