Harry Benson
Encyclopedia
Harry James Benson, CBE
, born in Glasgow, Scotland, is a photographer whose pictures have appeared in publications including Life
, Vanity Fair
, People
and The New Yorker
.
Benson was assigned to travel with The Beatles
on their first American tour in 1964. One of his most recognisable images shows the band in a gleeful pillow fight in a hotel room.
Other celebrities Benson has photographed include Michael Jackson
, who allowed him access to his bedroom, and Elizabeth Taylor
, whom Benson photographed before and after her brain surgery. He has also taken photos of political figures, including every US president since Dwight D. Eisenhower
, and covered war zones.
Benson has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, taken over a hundred cover shots for People
, published several books and won many awards. He was the subject of an award winning documentary directed by Ken MacGregor and written by William McIlvanney. Most recently he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Press Photography Awards on April 25, 2006.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, born in Glasgow, Scotland, is a photographer whose pictures have appeared in publications including Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
, Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
, People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
and The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
.
Benson was assigned to travel with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
on their first American tour in 1964. One of his most recognisable images shows the band in a gleeful pillow fight in a hotel room.
Other celebrities Benson has photographed include Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, who allowed him access to his bedroom, and Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
, whom Benson photographed before and after her brain surgery. He has also taken photos of political figures, including every US president since Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, and covered war zones.
Benson has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, taken over a hundred cover shots for People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
, published several books and won many awards. He was the subject of an award winning documentary directed by Ken MacGregor and written by William McIlvanney. Most recently he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Press Photography Awards on April 25, 2006.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
Books
- Harry Benson: 50 Years in Pictures, 2001. ISBN 0-8109-4171-6
- Once there was a way... Photographs of the Beatles, 2003. ISBN 0-8109-4643-2
- Harry Benson's America, 2005. ISBN 0-8109-5896-1
- Harry Benson's Glasgow, 2007. ISBN 978-1845022365
External links
- www.harrybenson.com -- Harry Benson's official website.
- On the Road with Harry Benson interview with video and slideshow from The Digital Journalist