Richard Avedon was born in New York City in 1923. He has worked for magazines like Harper's Bazaar (where he was a staff photographer from 1945-65) and Vogue (where he was a staff photographer from 1966-1990). Collections of his work have been exhibited in museums all over the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Isetan Museum in Tokyo, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Books of his images have been complimented with text by Truman Capote (in Observations) and James Baldwin (in Nothing Personal).
His list of awards includes:
2000
Photo District News: Most Influential Photographer
2000
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, Lifetime Achievement Award
1998
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts
1994
EVIDENCE is awarded the Prix Nadar by the Bibliotheque Nationale for the best photographic book 1994
1993
International Center of Photography Master of Photography Award
1991
Erna and Victor Hassleblad Foundation International Photography Prize
1989
Royal College of Art, London, Honorary Doctorate
1989
The Fashion Group International, Highest Achievement Award
1987
Harvard University, Certificate of Recognition, Visiting Artist 1986-87
1985
Eastman Kodak Award of Excellence as Commercial Television Director of the Year
1985
Maine Photographic Workshop Nikon Award for the Best Photographic Book of the Year
1985
American Society of Magazine Photographers, Photographer of the Year
1976
The Family, National Magazine Award for Visual Excellence
1958
Popular Photography magazine, one of the World's Ten Greatest Photographers
1950
Art Directors Club, New York, Highest Achievement Medal Award
1941
Poet Laureate of New York City High Schools (The New York Times, May 24, 1941)
(http://www.richardavedon.com)