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Cecil Beaton was a British photographer born in London on 14 January 1904. He is best known for his work as a fashion and portrait photographer and for his documentation of the Second World War. Beaton began his career as a society photographer in the 1920s, capturing images of London's rich and famous. He quickly became known for his glamorous and theatrical style, often incorporating elaborate sets and costumes into his photographs. In addition to his work in fashion and portraiture, Beaton also documented the Second World War as an official photographer for the British Ministry of Information. His wartime photographs, particularly those taken in London during the Blitz, are considered some of the most important visual records of the conflict. After the war, Beaton continued to work as a photographer, but also expanded his creative activities to include costume and set design for films and stage productions. He won Academy Awards for his work on the films Gigi and My Fair Lady. Beaton died on 18 January 1980 in Redding, England. His photographs and other creative works are held in collections around the world, including the National Portrait Gallery in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.