Am mighty upset to hear of the death of Lord Snowdon. We did an exhibition of his work at the NPG in spring 2000. He was funny, irreverent, a good mimic, could be sarcastic and a very good formal photographer. I was photographed by him when I went to the National Gallery. He refused to do it in situ and instead insisted on it being done at his house where he had what was essentially a Victorian studio set-up with props and studio. He required sitters to change into a rather dirty old shirt, maybe to discomfort them. It’s not my favourite photograph, but I admired him for his formal exactitude (and he was very generous to the NPG).
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
I agree with all those comments. When I was Arts Minister he asked me, to my amazement, to be guest editor of whatever magazine he was editing (it’s late, and I forget – was it Harper’s ?) and he was delightful to work with. It’s easy to see from the charming children he fathered, what a decent person he was – and what a talent he had !
You may fine my daughter Olivia’s brief radio doc (‘Stealing Snowdon’) amusing:
http://www.oliviahumphreys.com
Have tried to, but can’t seem to get it in Japan. Must listen when I’m back. Charles