11 Facts About Godfrey Argent

Bernard Godfrey Argent was an English photographer notable for his black and white portraits of royalty, politicians, aristocrats and celebrities.

In 1954, Argent joined the Royal Horse Guards, Household Cavalry, serving with the Life Guards for nine years.

Godfrey Argent photographed Field Marshal Sir Gerald Templer, who encouraged him to pursue photography instead of staying in the military.

Godfrey Argent was commissioned to take the photographs for Judith Campbell's book The Queen Rides, published in 1965, which featured the Queen with her horses at Windsor Castle, Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle.

Godfrey Argent served as royal photographer until 1974, given unparalleled access to the Queen and her family.

In 1967 Godfrey Argent became the official photographer for the National Photographic Record at the National Portrait Gallery.

From 1967 to 1993 Godfrey Argent served as official photographer for the Royal Society, photographing scientists Stephen Hawking, Sir Peter Medawar, Dorothy Hodgkin and Francis Crick.

Godfrey Argent joined the photographic agency, Camera Press, founded by Tom Blau, who represented Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield, Cecil Beaton, Norman Parkinson and Yousuf Karsh, the latter whom Argent admired the most.

Godfrey Argent had London studios in Queen's Gate and then in Holland Street in Kensington, where he became a celebrated photographer of prominent businessmen, families and soldiers.

Godfrey Argent purchased the archives of prominent photographers Walter Bird and Baron.

Godfrey Argent died in London in 2006, age 69, of oesophageal cancer.