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.
Dolores del Rio, American screen star, signing autographs for her admirers on the platform at Waterloo station, London, on June 17, 1936, before leaving by the Queen Mary boat-train for Southampton. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
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."
Britain's King George VI returning to Buckingham Palace, London, England, on Nov. 8, 1938, after the State Opening of Parliament. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Queen Mary opened a new department of east London’s Mildmay Mission Hospital on May 6, 1938. The patients in the hospital could hardly believe their good fortune when the Queen visited the wards, chatting to some of them. In this image Queen Mary with a patient and nurses in the background. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
King Edward speaks into the microphone from Broadcasting House in London, March 1, 1936. “May the future bring peace and understanding throughout the world, prosperity and happiness to British people, and may we be worthy of the heritage which is ours.” The whole world had been linked by radio and it was estimated that 600m people heard the King’s voice as he delivered his greeting to his empire. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
The penguins are being fed at their new enclosure at London Zoo, London, England, on May 25, 1934. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
People look at a German HE111 reconnaissance plane which crashed on a hillside, near Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, Oct. 28, 1939. This is the first German plane to fall on British soil. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
A special service for pearly Kings and Queens, licensed victuallers and costermongers, was held at St. Mary Magdalene Church, on June 6, 1937 in London. A policeman is seen directing the pearly folk who arrived on foot. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Hit by the war born paper shortage, England carries on a steady campaign to salvage waste paper. Rags and straw are used to some extent in wartime paper making, but waste paper is by far the greatest source of raw material. Workers unload bales of waste paper, from a continuous stream of barges, to be fed into the huge pulping machines, somewhere in England, March 5, 1940. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Due to severe fuel shortage in Britain, factories and businesses are turning to alternative power sources, as at this London factory where the power is provided by a man on a cycle connected to a generator, Feb. 11, 1947. Bad weather is hampering delivery of coal and daily five hour power cuts are being imposed in Southern England and Wales. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Girls of the Royal School of Needlework at work on a trousseau for Lady Alice Scott, in London, England, around Oct. 1, 1935. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
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."
British singer Julie Andrews talks to U.S. comedian Danny Kaye on the eve of the Royal Command Variety Performance, at the London Palladium, England, Oct. 31, 1948. At thirteen years old Julie is the youngest performer ever to appear before royalty at the Palladium. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
British film star Elizabeth Taylor (16), left her native London for the United States nine years ago. She is in London again to film "Conspirator" opposite Robert Taylor and finds the policeman helpful as she leaves her hotel near Hyde Park in London, on Oct. 29, 1948. Elizabeth, £10,000-a-year star, is youngest in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer constellation. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives an approving pat to his horse Colonist II after it had won the Lowther Stakes at Newmarket race-course on Oct. 12, 1950. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Britain's Princess Elizabeth, nursing Prince Charles, smiles at the crowd which gathered at Buckingham Palace, London, on Jan. 5, 1949, as they set off for Sandringham, Norfolk. The car was driven by Prince Philip, unseen, and Nurse Lightbody, Prince Charles’ nanny, sat in the back. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Britain's Princess Elizabeth, left, and her sister Princess Margaret, second left, accompanied by Prince Philip, right, and the Duke of Eldon, arrive at Ascot in an open carriage for the third day of the four day race meeting, on June 16, 1949. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
The team captains exchange pennants before the start of the World Cup match between England and Belgium, in Basel, Switzerland, on June 17, 1954. From left to right; England's captain Billy Wright; German referee Emil Schmetzer; Belgium captain Joseph Mermans. The game ended at full time at 3-3 and after extra time the score was 4-4. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Hijo Chang Lee of Korea, left, and Anton Huiskes of the Netherlands, competing in the 500m Olympic speedskating, at St Moritz, Switzerland, on Jan. 31, 1948. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Gertrude Augusta Moran of Santa Monica, Ca., races across the court during her Women's Singles match against Betty Wilford, at Wimbledon, London, on June 22, 1949. Moran won the match 6-1, 6-4. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Arthur Wint, centre, gold medal, and Herb McKenley, right, silver medal, both from Jamaica and Mel Whitfield of the USA, bronze medal, at Wembley Stadium, London, Aug. 5, 1948, after the final of the Olympic Games 400m final. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Residents of flooded Canvey Island leave their homes in a small boat for a reception centre, Feb. 2, 1953, after bad weather hit Britain's east coast. The area has been devastated, with 125 people drowned and 500 missing. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Paratroops wave goodbye to Kuwait as they board Royal Air Force Transport Command Beverley at Al Farwaniya airfield, Kuwait, on July 19, 1961. They are, top to bottom; Craftsman Bill Madeley, Craftsman Derek Jacobs, and Craftsman Tony Campling. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Royal Navy men off duty enjoy a splash in a small canvas swimming pool on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark lying off Kuwait on July 11, 1961. In the background technicians work on Naval helicopters. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
U.S. President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy return to the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, May 31, 1961. The president and first lady return from a formal dinner at the Elysee Palace as guests of Charles de Gaulle of France. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Sonny Liston, the world heavyweight boxing champion, stares across the table at British heavyweight Brian London as they meet during a reception for the champion at the Mayfair Hotel, London, on Sept. 2, 1963. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Keith Richards, from The Rolling Stones, 29, accused of drugs and firearm charges, opens the car door for girlfriend, actress Anita Pallenberg, 31, also charged with possessing drugs, on arrival at Marlborough Street Court in London, England on June 27, 1973. Richard was later freed on £1,000 bail. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Margaret Thatcher, newly elected leader of Britain’s opposition Conservative Party, shares a wave and a smile with her husband Denis, right, and son, Mark, in London, Feb. 11, 1975, before attending a reception honoring her victory over four male opponents. (AP Photo/Robert Rider-Rider)
Photo editing and text by Kathryn Bubien