Stafford photographed Albert Einstein in 1948 at his house in Princeton, New Jersey, when she became the impromptu ‘stills lady’ for a film crew making a documentary about him. She went from New York to Paris in 1949, where she worked as a singer in an exclusive dinner club called Chez Carrère. Here she met many interesting and famous people she would also photograph, including Édith Piaf and Charles Aznavour. She met the Indian writer Mulk Raj Anand on a ferry crossing to the UK and they started a lifelong friendship, during which time he introduced her to many influential people around the world, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Indira Gandhi and Carlo Levi. In London, Stafford was one of few women working on Fleet Street, where she photographed Albert Finney and John Osborne on the set of the BBC’s ‘Acting in the Sixties’, Patrick Moore on the ‘Sky at Night’ and Sir Richard Attenborough, among many others. Stafford also photographed many interesting cultural figures independently, including surrealist painter Sir Roland Penrose, and US actor Lee Marvin.
CELEBRITIES 1950 - 1980
Stafford photographed Albert Einstein in 1948 at his house in Princeton, New Jersey, when she became the impromptu ‘stills lady’ for a film crew making a documentary about him. She went from New York to Paris in 1949, where she worked as a singer in an exclusive dinner club called Chez Carrère. Here she met many interesting and famous people she would also photograph, including Édith Piaf and Charles Aznavour. She met the Indian writer Mulk Raj Anand on a ferry crossing to the UK and they started a lifelong friendship, during which time he introduced her to many influential people around the world, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Indira Gandhi and Carlo Levi. In London, Stafford was one of few women working on Fleet Street, where she photographed Albert Finney and John Osborne on the set of the BBC’s ‘Acting in the Sixties’, Patrick Moore on the ‘Sky at Night’ and Sir Richard Attenborough, among many others. Stafford also photographed many interesting cultural figures independently, including surrealist painter Sir Roland Penrose, and US actor Lee Marvin.
Édith Piaf (1915-1963), Paris, c1950.
Of humble origins, Piaf rose to worldwide fame, becoming one of France’s most well-loved chanteuses. She was given the nickname Piaf, or ‘little sparrow’ because of her small, delicate stature.
‘Piaf always performed wearing black, here she is joyously wearing white, the day we all went out to tea at the Grand Hôtel de Paris.’
Édith Piaf (1915-1963), Paris, c1950.
Of humble origins, Piaf rose to worldwide fame, becoming one of France’s most well-loved chanteuses. She was given the nickname Piaf, or ‘little sparrow’ because of her small, delicate stature.
‘Piaf always performed wearing black, here she is joyously wearing white, the day we all went out to tea at the Grand Hôtel de Paris.’
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 1948.
German-born theoretical physicist, best known for developing the theory of relativity, and for the equation E = mc² which preceded the development of atomic power.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955), at his home in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, 1948.
German-born theoretical physicist, best known for developing the theory of relativity, and for the equation E = mc² which preceded the development of atomic power.
Édith Piaf with Marguerite Monnot, songwriter and close friend, and Eddie Constantine, singer, Paris, c1950.
Édith Piaf with Marguerite Monnot, songwriter and close friend, and Eddie Constantine, singer, Paris, c1950.
Édith Piaf, singer Eddie Constantine and singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, following tea at Grand Hôtel, Paris, c1950.
Édith Piaf, singer Eddie Constantine and singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour, following tea at Grand Hôtel, Paris, c1950.
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Home Appliance Exhibition, Grand Palais, Paris, c1950.
Henri Cartier-Bresson, Home Appliance Exhibition, Grand Palais, Paris, c1950.
Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), Paris, c1950.
French photographer, world renowned pioneer of street photography, and co-founder of Magnum Photos in 1947.
Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004), Paris, c1950.
French photographer, world renowned pioneer of street photography, and co-founder of Magnum Photos in 1947.
Le Corbusier (1887-1965), Swiss architect and city planner, Paris c1950.
Le Corbusier was committed to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. He is celebrated for many extensive projects, including the creation of the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India.
Le Corbusier (1887-1965), Swiss architect and city planner, Paris c1950.
Le Corbusier was committed to providing better living conditions for the residents of crowded cities. He is celebrated for many extensive projects, including the creation of the master plan for the city of Chandigarh in India.
Jean Seberg (1938-1979), American actress, Paris, 1959.
Icon of Nouvelle Vague cinema in the late 1950s, most notably Jean-Luc Goddard’s Á Bout de Souffle (1960).
Jean Seberg (1938-1979), American actress, Paris, 1959.
Icon of Nouvelle Vague cinema in the late 1950s, most notably Jean-Luc Goddard’s Á Bout de Souffle (1960).
Tristan Tzara (1896-1963) Romanian-French avant-garde poet, one of the founders of the anti-establishment Dada Movement. Paris, c1950.
Tristan Tzara (1896-1963) Romanian-French avant-garde poet, one of the founders of the anti-establishment Dada Movement. Paris, c1950.
Francesca Serio (1903-1992), Rome, c1959.
Known as Italy’s Antigone, she was the first woman to bring the Mafia to trial for murdering her son who had organised an olive pickers’ union on Sicily’s mafia-controlled estates. Her case was won but later overturned. The killer was assassinated but she was left untouched.
Francesca Serio (1903-1992), Rome, c1959.
Known as Italy’s Antigone, she was the first woman to bring the Mafia to trial for murdering her son who had organised an olive pickers’ union on Sicily’s mafia-controlled estates. Her case was won but later overturned. The killer was assassinated but she was left untouched.
Francesca Serio, Rome, c1959.
‘I was humbled by Serio’s strength and courage; it was a great privilege to photograph her.’
Francesca Serio, Rome, c1959.
‘I was humbled by Serio’s strength and courage; it was a great privilege to photograph her.’
Carlo Levi (1902-1975)., Italian painter, writer, anti-fascist activist and doctor. Rome, 1959.
Best known for his book: Christ Stopped at Eboli. Levi actively supported Italian peasant Francesca Serio in her case against the mafia in Sicily.
Carlo Levi (1902-1975)., Italian painter, writer, anti-fascist activist and doctor. Rome, 1959.
Best known for his book: Christ Stopped at Eboli. Levi actively supported Italian peasant Francesca Serio in her case against the mafia in Sicily.
Italo Calvino (1923-1985), Italian journalist and novelist, Rome, c1959.
Born in Cuba, his best known works include The Ancestors trilogy (1952-1959) and his novel Invisible Cities (1972).
Italo Calvino (1923-1985), Italian journalist and novelist, Rome, c1959.
Born in Cuba, his best known works include The Ancestors trilogy (1952-1959) and his novel Invisible Cities (1972).
Twiggy (b1949), London, c1966.
British fashion model, actress, singer, and cultural icon of the ‘swinging sixties’.
Twiggy (b1949), London, c1966.
British fashion model, actress, singer, and cultural icon of the ‘swinging sixties’.
Joanna Lumley (b1948), British actress, author, model, activist, presenter, London, c1966.
Modelling a dress by designer Jean Muir. Lumley was Jean Muir’s favourite model.
Joanna Lumley (b1948), British actress, author, model, activist, presenter, London, c1966.
Modelling a dress by designer Jean Muir. Lumley was Jean Muir’s favourite model.
Singer/songwriter Donovan (b1946) and poet Christopher Logue (1926-2011), London, c1960.
Donovan was a musical icon of the sixties’ ‘flower-power’ counterculture. Logue was an English poet, best noted for his adaptation of Homer’s Iliad. Logue protested, along with Bertrand Russell and others, against nuclear weapons.
Singer/songwriter Donovan (b1946) and poet Christopher Logue (1926-2011), London, c1960.
Donovan was a musical icon of the sixties’ ‘flower-power’ counterculture. Logue was an English poet, best noted for his adaptation of Homer’s Iliad. Logue protested, along with Bertrand Russell and others, against nuclear weapons.
Michael Peto (1908-1970), photographer, London, c1965.
Internationally recognised Hungarian-British photojournalist, his photographs include Winston Churchill and The Beatles.
‘Michael generously introduced me to The Observer where he was a staff photographer, and we became good friends’.
Michael Peto (1908-1970), photographer, London, c1965.
Internationally recognised Hungarian-British photojournalist, his photographs include Winston Churchill and The Beatles.
‘Michael generously introduced me to The Observer where he was a staff photographer, and we became good friends’.
Albert Finney (1936-2019), British actor, London, 1967.
In the course of his career, Finney earned five Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe Awards (from eight nominations) and a BAFTA (from nine nominations) as well as winning many awards for his stage performances, including John Osborne’s Luther (1963).
Albert Finney (1936-2019), British actor, London, 1967.
In the course of his career, Finney earned five Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe Awards (from eight nominations) and a BAFTA (from nine nominations) as well as winning many awards for his stage performances, including John Osborne’s Luther (1963).
John Osborne (1929-1994), Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter, London, 1967.
On the set of the BBC series Acting in the Sixties.
Most celebrated for his work Look Back in Anger (1959), which gave voice to the working-class man and from which the phrase ‘angry young man’ was coined.
John Osborne (1929-1994), Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter, London, 1967.
On the set of the BBC series Acting in the Sixties.
Most celebrated for his work Look Back in Anger (1959), which gave voice to the working-class man and from which the phrase ‘angry young man’ was coined.
Sir RIchard Attenborough (1923-2014), British actor and filmmaker, London, 1970.
President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Most noted for his role as Pinkie in Brighton Rock and as director of the films Gandhi and Cry Freedom. He was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough.
Sir RIchard Attenborough (1923-2014), British actor and filmmaker, London, 1970.
President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Most noted for his role as Pinkie in Brighton Rock and as director of the films Gandhi and Cry Freedom. He was the older brother of Sir David Attenborough.
Sir Alan Bates (1934-2003). British actor, London, c1970.
Bates acted in numerous films including Zorba the Greek (1964), Far from the Madding crowd (1967) and Ken Russell’s Women in Love (1969).
Sir Alan Bates (1934-2003). British actor, London, c1970.
Bates acted in numerous films including Zorba the Greek (1964), Far from the Madding crowd (1967) and Ken Russell’s Women in Love (1969).
Sir Patrick Moore (1923-2012), astronomer, writer, and TV presenter, London, c1970.
On the set of the BBC’s The Sky at Night, the world’s longest running TV series.
Sir Patrick Moore (1923-2012), astronomer, writer, and TV presenter, London, c1970.
On the set of the BBC’s The Sky at Night, the world’s longest running TV series.
Lee Marvin, (1924-1987), American actor, London, c1969.
Remembered for his husky voice, and as one of America’s best film and television actors of bad guys and rugged heroes. Sta of films Dirty Dozen, Cat Balou and for his rendition of Wandering Star in Paint Your Wagon.
Lee Marvin, (1924-1987), American actor, London, c1969.
Remembered for his husky voice, and as one of America’s best film and television actors of bad guys and rugged heroes. Sta of films Dirty Dozen, Cat Balou and for his rendition of Wandering Star in Paint Your Wagon.
Lee Marvin, American actor, London, c1969.
‘When I told him I had not seen the film in which he sang Wandering Star, he took off his boots there and then and sang it to me!’
Lee Marvin, American actor, London, c1969.
‘When I told him I had not seen the film in which he sang Wandering Star, he took off his boots there and then and sang it to me!’
Sharon Tate (1943-1969), American actress, London, c1960.
Tate earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Jennifer North in the 1967 cult classic film Valley of the Dolls. Wife of film director Roman Polanski, she was tragically murdered in their California home, when eight months pregnant, by followers of the cult leader Charles Manson.
Sharon Tate (1943-1969), American actress, London, c1960.
Tate earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role as Jennifer North in the 1967 cult classic film Valley of the Dolls. Wife of film director Roman Polanski, she was tragically murdered in their California home, when eight months pregnant, by followers of the cult leader Charles Manson.
Sir Roland Penrose (1900-1984), Surrealist painter and art collector, London, c1965.
Husband of Lee Miller, and friend and biographer of Picasso, Man Ray, Miró, and
Tàpies. Co-founder, alongside Sir Herbert Read, of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London.
Sir Roland Penrose (1900-1984), Surrealist painter and art collector, London, c1965.
Husband of Lee Miller, and friend and biographer of Picasso, Man Ray, Miró, and
Tàpies. Co-founder, alongside Sir Herbert Read, of the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London.
Sir Jonathan Miller, CBE (1934-2019), London, 1969.
British theatre and opera director, actor, humourist, author, physician and TV presenter.
Sir Jonathan Miller, CBE (1934-2019), London, 1969.
British theatre and opera director, actor, humourist, author, physician and TV presenter.
Indira Gandhi at home with a portrait of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the wall behind. New Delhi, 1972.
Indira Gandhi at home with a portrait of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the wall behind. New Delhi, 1972.
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