John Gay (photographer)

John Gay (born Hans Ludwig Göhler: 2 September 1909 in Karlsruhe, Germany – died 24 January 1999 in Highgate, London) was a photographer.

He based his professional photographic practice here, which covered a varied range of subjects from animals for pet food companies, architecture and country scenes for Country Fair magazine, to the portraits of literary personalities including Terence Rattigan, Dylan Thomas and Vita Sackville-West[1] for the Strand Magazine.

[3] In the summer of 1949 Gay captured a series of photographs of Blackpool holidaymakers for Country Fair,[1] many of which now typify the popular image of seaside holidays of the past.

A subject close to his heart, Gay was actively involved in the rejuvenation of Highgate Cemetery following years of neglect after the Second World War.

The stone lies near a main path, opposite the grave of George Michael, but it is easily missed, being small and partly obscured by planting.