AP Photographer Robert Rider-Rider
William Frederick Rider-Rider, known as Robert, joined AP's London bureau in 1931 as a messenger boy.
Later he worked in the darkroom and eventually became a photographer covering a variety of news events and personalities from Wimbledon, to the Royals, throughout his 48 years at the AP before retiring in 1979. He died on August 26, 1982 in Bexhill, East Sussex, England.
In a 1981 edition of AP World, Rider-Rider told how photos were sent across the Atlantic by liner in the early days of AP, and how special efforts were made in a rush to beat the competition: "On some occasions we put photos destined for New York aboard a liner in a watertight canister. About 30 miles from New York City, the canister supported by two life belts, was heaved into the Atlantic and plucked from the water and flown to the city by a seaplane. We got a couple of hours' beat each time."
Former head of AP Photos, Hal Buell, recalls working with Rider-Rider, "Bob Rider-Rider was an unforgettable character and though I connected with him only a few times he was and remains memorable.
A sturdy man he was, strong of voice and willing to offer comment on any topic under discussion. We had a running joke…he would interpret English idiom to me, and I would provide the same when American idiom turned up.
And I, considerably younger, enjoyed his stories about AP operations back in the day, both before and after WWII.
Professionally, in my experience he always turned up with the picture we needed.
I always wondered why he carried two names, each the same. Never did get an answer."