Jack Kerouac (1922 - 1969)

Jack Kerouac with Allen Ginsberg and William Borroughs was the leading figure and announcer of the "Beat Generation". Kerouac and "Beat" members wrote poems, stories and song on on experimentation with drugs and sexuality, opposing materialism and repression. Kerouac's most famous work On The Road 1957 is an autobiographical tale of road trips and is considered the defining work of postwar Beat Generation.

2 Haunting but true Photographs

Lawrence Beitler, 1930, Lynching ofThomas Shipp and Abram Smith

Kevin Carter, 1993, Vulture and Child

Nick Knight (1958-)

Yohji Yamamoto-Susie Smoking, 1988

Nick Knight is Britain's most famous fashion photographer. His use of colour, costume, props and shock tactics earned him the title of 'most influential fashion photographer in the world' in 1995. His style has had undoubted effect on fashion photography and todays main players such as Rankin and LaChappelle combine many of his techniques with that of their own.

This shot is my favourite image of Knights.

James Marshall (1936 - 2010)

Johnny Cash, Finger, 1959

Johnny Cash sticking the finger to the Nashville country-music establishment who all but abandoned the 'ageing' stars who had defined the genre.

Neil Leifer (1942-)

Ali v Liston, 1965

"Get up and fight, sucker", made front cover of Sports Illustrated's special edition "The Century's Greatest Sports Photos".

It's 'The Greatest' in all his glory

Steve McCurry (1950-)

Afghan Girl, 1984

This image has become "the most recognised photograph" in the history of The National Geographic magazine.

Afghan women are usually elusive in front of camera, but Curry shot this whilst staying at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp.

At the time the girls name was not known but she was tracked down 17 years and her portrait was taken again. Her name is Sharbat Gula.

The image has become the symbol of Afghan conflict and the refugee situation throughout the world.

Charles C. Ebbets (1905 - 1978)

Lunch atop a Skyscraper [1932]

Taken during during the construction of the GE building at Rockefeller center. This photo has become iconic through poster sales and makes me feel a little nervous when looking at the workers having lunch.