Iconic photographer Harry Benson has captured some of the most pivotal moments in modern history. Always in the right place at the right time, Benson used his camera lens to give the world a glimpse into events that rocked the globe. His black and white and color photographs include shots of celebrities, politicians, royalty, political upheavals and social revolutions. His contributions to photography are widely celebrated and recognized.
One of the first highlights of Benson's career was touring with the Beatles in February of 1964. While at the Hotel George V in Paris, he snapped the famous images of the band having a playful pillow fight. Benson stayed in America after the Beatles' first visit to the States and started working for Life in 1968. He was under contract with the magazine from 1970 to 2000.
Benson was on assignment for Life during the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy — just steps behind the senator when it occurred. After the shot rang out, Benson told himself, "this is for history, pull yourself together, fail tomorrow, not today," and documented the moment that Kennedy lay on the floor.
In 1989, Benson photographed the student protests in Tiananmen Square and the fall of the Berlin Wall. He was with President Clinton on his historic visit to Kosovo in 1999 and captured New York City in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Benson has also photographed every president since Eisenhower and taken numerous images of Queen Elizabeth II.
Over the course of his long career, Benson's photographs have appeared in Town & Country, Vanity Fair, Time, GQ, Newsweek, Vice, Architectural Digest and more. His works are held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Benson has earned extensive accolades for his work in photography. The National Press Photographers Association twice named him “Magazine Photographer of the Year.” He has also received several lifetime achievement awards, an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Glasgow University and The University of St. Andrews, and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Harry Benson photography.
The Beatles Ed Sullivan Show by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
*With production cameras filming Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His ico...
Archival Pigment
Berlin Kiss by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a gleeful pillow fight in a hotel room. Benson has photographed every U.S. president from Eisenhower to Barack Obama. He was feet away when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated; in the room when Nixon resigned; with Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Meredith march; and with Coretta Scott King...
Archival Pigment
"Ali In Training" by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in London, GB
"Ali In Training" by Harry Benson American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. Unframed Pa...
Black and White
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 20 x 20
By Harry Benson
Located in San Rafael, CA
American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...
Photographic Paper
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 40 x 40
By Harry Benson
Located in San Rafael, CA
American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...
Photographic Paper
Harry Benson 'Ali in Training' Archival Photograph by Getty, 30 x 30
By Harry Benson
Located in San Rafael, CA
American Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), training in his gym, 21st May 1965. (Photo by Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) As an authorized Getty ...
Photographic Paper
Glasgow Tollbooth Bar
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
30" x 40" Unframed Limited Edition C-Print of 35 Hand Signed by Harry Benson
C Print
Jackie Kennedy by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a gleeful pillow fight in a hotel room. Benson has photographed every U.S. president from Eisenhower to Barack Obama. He was feet away when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated; in the room when Nixon resigned; with Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Meredith march; and with Coretta Scott King...
Archival Pigment
The Beatles Ed Sullivan Show by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
*Without production cameras filming Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His ...
Archival Pigment
Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a...
Archival Pigment
The Pillow Fight
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
23" x 23" Unframed Limited Edition 5/35 Hand Signed by Harry Benson 1964 printed 2012 "Harry Benson’s self-described “one photograph” is Beatles’ Pillow...
Archival Pigment
We Shall Overcome (The James Meredith March Against Fear), June 1966
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
4" x 5" Unframed Closed Edition Photograph MAGNUM Photography Hand Signed by Harry Benson
Archival Pigment
Beatles Pillow Fight by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a gleeful pillow...
Archival Pigment
Andy and Bianca at The Factory by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a...
Archival Pigment
$1,000
Paul 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
4" x 5" Unframed Closed Edition Photograph MAGNUM Photography Hand Signed by Harry Benson
Archival Pigment
$4,600
John Lennon
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
11" x 14" Framed Archival Pigment Print Hand Signed by Harry Benson
Archival Pigment
George Burns Visiting Gracie, Circa 1975
By Harry Benson
Located in Toronto, ON
16" x 20" Unframed Limited Edition Silver Gelatin Print of 35 Hand Signed by Harry Benson
Silver Gelatin
Warhol and Friends by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a...
Archival Pigment
Andrew Wyeth by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a...
Archival Pigment
Paul Hits John, Pillow Fight by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a gleeful pillow...
Archival Pigment
Francis Bacon by Harry Benson
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson was born near Glasgow, Scotland. The photographer was assigned to travel with the Beatles on their first American tour in 1964. His iconic photograph shows the band in a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
USA for Africa, 1985
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Halston & Liza Minnelli, New York, 1978
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Godfather: Francis Ford Coppola, Al Pacino and Diane Keaton, New York, 1971
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Kate Moss & Nadja Auermann, 1993
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Quarterback Roger Staubach with UT Austin Coach Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys, 1972
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow at Truman Capote's "Black and White" Ball
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Calvin Klein, New York City, 1989
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Anna Wintour, 1993
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Andrew Wyeth
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer.
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Jack Nicholson Contact Sheet, Montana
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Jackie Kennedy, London
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Berlin Kiss
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Beatles Pillow Fight, George V Hotel, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Ali hits George, Miami
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Ali Float Like a Butterfly
By Harry Benson
Located in Woodmere, OH
Harry Benson's photographs capture some of the most iconic moments and personalities of the 20th century, from his intimate shots of The Beatles to his powerful images of political a...
Archival Pigment
Helen Gurley Brown and her husband David in doorway, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Halston and Andre
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 35 Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Easy Rider : Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Edition of 35 Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger at The Factory, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the verso
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Beatles Composing, Paris, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Beatles, Ed Sullivan Show, New York, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Beatles, Miami, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Beatles and Clay (Muhammad Ali), Miami, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
The Beatles: Pillow Fight, Paris, 1964
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the verso
Dye Transfer
Price Upon Request
The Beatles, Miami Beach
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Photographic Paper
Halston and André Leon Talley, Tanglewood, Massachusetts
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Martin Luther King Jr., Mississippi
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Dolly Parton, Nashville
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Jacqueline Kennedy, Laurentian Mountains, Canada
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer on the recto Please inquire about additional limited sizes and editions
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Arnold Palmer, 1974
By Harry Benson
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Gelatin silver print Image 15-1/2" x 23", Paper 20" x 24", Matted 24" x 30" Edition 10 of 35
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Greta Garbo, Antigua, 1976
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Silver Gelatin
Price Upon Request
Henri Langlois, Robert Guerra, and Eila Hershon
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer
Silver Gelatin
Julian Schnabel in his studio, Palazzo Chupi, New York, 2011
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Harry Benson photographed artist Julian Schnabel at his famed home and studio Palazzo Chupi in the West Village for his book New York, New York (published in 2014). As Benson noted,...
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Celtics vs. Rangers, Glasgow, Scotland
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Additional sizes may be available upon request.
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment
Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee: Muhammad Ali, Miami
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Additional sizes may be available upon request.
Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Givenchy, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Charlotte Ronson, New York
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Pierre Cardin, Paris
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Archival Pigment
Price Upon Request
Diane von Furstenberg
By Harry Benson
Located in New York, NY
Signed by the photographer. Larger sizes also available.
Archival Pigment