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John Gay (photographer)
Encyclopedia
John Gay was a photographer.
, moving to England with his friend Walter Stern and Stern's family, including his mother, the photographer Martha Stern.
, where he changed his name, and launched a photographic career, finding work as a self-employed commercial photographer, before serving with the Pioneer Corps from 1939 until the end of the Second World War.
Following his marriage to Marie Arnheim in 1942, the couple settled in Highgate
, London. Here he based his professional photographic practice which covered a varied range of subjects from animals for pet food companies, architecture and country scenes for Country Fair Magazine, to the portraits of literary personalities including Terence Rattigan
, Dylan Thomas
and Vita Sackville-West
for the Strand Magazine
.
In the summer of 1949 Gay captured a series of photographs of Blackpool holiday makers for Country Fair Magazine, many of which now typify the popular image of seaside holidays of the past.
Gay’s love of architecture, nature and the countryside are reflected in his work. His photographs are published in six books. It was his second book Prospect of Highgate & Hampstead (1967) that put Gay on the map as an architectural photographer. In 1972 he published London’s Historic Railway Stations with Sir John Betjeman
but his most well known book is Highgate Cemetery, published in 1984, with Felix Barker
. A subject close to his heart, John Gay was actively involved in the rejuvenation of Highgate cemetery
following years of neglect after the Second World War.
After his death in 1999 over 40,000 of John Gay's photographs were left to the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage
.
ISBN 978-1-848020-03-0
Early life
Gay attended art college in his home town. In 1933 he left Germany, following Hitler's appointment as ChancellorChancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
, moving to England with his friend Walter Stern and Stern's family, including his mother, the photographer Martha Stern.
Career
He settled in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he changed his name, and launched a photographic career, finding work as a self-employed commercial photographer, before serving with the Pioneer Corps from 1939 until the end of the Second World War.
Following his marriage to Marie Arnheim in 1942, the couple settled in Highgate
Highgate
Highgate is an area of North London on the north-eastern corner of Hampstead Heath.Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has an active conservation body, the Highgate Society, to protect its character....
, London. Here he based his professional photographic practice which covered a varied range of subjects from animals for pet food companies, architecture and country scenes for Country Fair Magazine, to the portraits of literary personalities including Terence Rattigan
Terence Rattigan
Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan CBE was one of England's most popular 20th-century dramatists. His plays are generally set in an upper-middle-class background...
, Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2008. who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself...
and Vita Sackville-West
Vita Sackville-West
The Hon Victoria Mary Sackville-West, Lady Nicolson, CH , best known as Vita Sackville-West, was an English author, poet and gardener. She won the Hawthornden Prize in 1927 and 1933...
for the Strand Magazine
Strand Magazine
The Strand Magazine was a monthly magazine composed of fictional stories and factual articles founded by George Newnes. It was first published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950 running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890.Its immediate...
.
In the summer of 1949 Gay captured a series of photographs of Blackpool holiday makers for Country Fair Magazine, many of which now typify the popular image of seaside holidays of the past.
Gay’s love of architecture, nature and the countryside are reflected in his work. His photographs are published in six books. It was his second book Prospect of Highgate & Hampstead (1967) that put Gay on the map as an architectural photographer. In 1972 he published London’s Historic Railway Stations with Sir John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
but his most well known book is Highgate Cemetery, published in 1984, with Felix Barker
Felix Barker
Richard Felix Raine Barker was a British drama critic and historian. He is known for having been the youngest dramatic critic on Fleet Street.- Biography :...
. A subject close to his heart, John Gay was actively involved in the rejuvenation of Highgate cemetery
Highgate Cemetery
Highgate Cemetery is a cemetery located in north London, England. It is designated Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It is divided into two parts, named the East and West cemetery....
following years of neglect after the Second World War.
After his death in 1999 over 40,000 of John Gay's photographs were left to the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
.
John Gay: England Observed
- published in 2009 by English Heritage. 300 photographs from the large collection of his work held by the National Monuments Record, the public archive of English Heritage.
ISBN 978-1-848020-03-0
Prospect of Highgate & Hampstead
- published in 1967 and attributed to Clark, Leonard and John Gay
London’s Historic Railway Stations
- published in 1972 and attributed to Sir John BetjemanJohn BetjemanSir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
(author) and John Gay (photographer) ISBN 978-1854142542