Lord Snowdon

Lord Snowdon, born Antony Charles Robert Armstrong-Jones, was a prominent British photographer and filmmaker who gained widespread public recognition through his marriage into the British royal family. A leading figure in post-war British photography, his work encompassed incisive portraiture, fashion, and pioneering documentary projects, often highlighting social issues. His complex personal life, particularly his marriage to and divorce from Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, placed him under intense media scrutiny, yet he maintained a distinguished and prolific artistic career for over six decades.

Early life and education

He was born in London to Sir Ronald Armstrong-Jones, a barrister, and his first wife, Anne Messel, later Countess of Rosse. His early education was at Sandroyd School and then Eton College, though his time at Eton was interrupted by illness. He subsequently attended Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied architecture but did not complete his degree, instead developing a keen interest in photography. This interest was nurtured in part through his mother's artistic connections in London society and his own innate visual talent, setting the stage for his future career.

Photography career

Launching his professional career in the 1950s, he quickly became a sought-after photographer for publications like *Vogue*, The Sunday Times, and The Daily Telegraph. His style was characterized by a modern, informal, and often penetratingly honest approach to portraiture, capturing subjects ranging from celebrities like Marlene Dietrich and Laurence Olivier to political figures such as Harold Wilson and Prince Philip. Beyond fashion and society, he produced significant documentary work, including the acclaimed 1957 book *London*, and later, sensitive studies on disability and aging for the Arts Council and the National Health Service.

Marriage to Princess Margaret

His relationship with Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II, became a subject of intense public fascination. Their engagement was announced in 1960, and the wedding at Westminster Abbey was a major televised event. Upon marriage, he was granted the title Earl of Snowdon and Viscount Linley. The couple had two children: David, Viscount Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto. The marriage, however, was strained by differing lifestyles and infidelities, leading to their legal separation in 1976 and a highly publicized divorce in 1978, a rare event within the royal family at the time.

Later life and other work

Following his divorce, he continued his photographic work and expanded into design and filmmaking. He served as the Artistic Advisor to the *Observer* newspaper and was the Director of Design for the 1969 Investiture of the Prince of Wales, creating the modernist stage and regalia. He designed the Snowdon Aviary at London Zoo with architect Cedric Price. His later photographic projects included official portraits for the National Portrait Gallery and campaigning work for organizations like the Spinal Injuries Association. He married Lucy Lindsay-Hogg in 1978, with whom he remained until his death.

Honours and legacy

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1969 and a Companion of Honour in 2017 for his services to photography and the arts. His legacy is multifaceted: as a groundbreaking photographer who brought a new intimacy and social conscience to his medium, and as a complex figure who navigated the pressures of royal life. Major retrospectives of his work have been held at institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. His children and grandchildren remain part of the extended British royal family.

Category:British photographers Category:English earls Category:1930 births Category:2017 deaths