Photographer Harry Benson says it is a “distinct honour” for his work to go on display in the Scottish Parliament.

Glasgow-born Harry is famous for his pictures of The Beatles in the US as well as having photographed every American president since Dwight D Eisenhower.

Harry Benson and wife Gigi (Sylvain Gaboury/AP/PA)
Harry Benson and wife Gigi (Sylvain Gaboury/AP/PA)

His work has not been on public display in Scotland since 2008 but Holyrood is to host a new exhibition showcasing images from some of the most significant moments in the history of the US over the last 50 years.

They include the picture Harry took of former US president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy dancing that was used on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, alongside images from the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, pictures of Watergate journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward and Richard Nixon’s resignation speech.

Harry and former Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick with his photo of president Ronald Reagan and his wife dancing (Jonathan Delano/Scottish Parliament/PA)
Harry and former presiding officer Tricia Marwick with his photo of president Ronald Reagan and his wife dancing (Jonathan Delano/Scottish Parliament/PA)

Photographs of famous faces from outside politics – including Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Jack Nicholson, Dolly Parton and Kevin Spacey – will also be in the display, which runs from August 12 to December 3.

Harry will also be speaking about his work as part of the parliament’s Festival Of Politics, when he will speak to deputy presiding officer Linda Fabiani about his work, his inspiration and his childhood in Glasgow.

The photographer said: “It is a distinct honour to have my photographs on display at the Scottish Parliament.

Harry famously took photos of the Beatles (AP/PA)
Harry famously took photos of The Beatles (AP/PA)

“Photojournalism is history. Photographs bring total recall of events and the surrounding times to those who lived through them and hopefully will bring an understanding to those too young to have been there”.

The Harry Benson In Conversation event takes place on Saturday August 13, with tickets on sale at the Scottish Parliament.