Michael Peto's archive - in pictures

Ian McKellen in 1969, as he first began to win critical acclaim at the theatre for his Shakespearean roles Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Louis Armstrong at the Empress Hall in London in 1956 (he also visited Glasgow that year, where a kilt was made for him in the Armstrong tartan); Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Actor Mary Ure with her daughter Elizabeth Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Child, Camden Town, London, 1954 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Iris Murdoch in 1962, on the publication of her novel ‘An Unofficial Rose' Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Maggie Smith in 1964, during the production of Hay Fever at the National Theatre Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

The Beatles with director Richard Lester in 1965 at Cliveden House during the filming of ‘Help!' Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev in 1962 in rehearsal for ‘Giselle’ – their first performance together at Covent Garden Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Man harvesting sea salt, India, 1967 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Nelson Mandela at the north London home of Oliver Tambo in 1962, two months before he was arrested and imprisoned Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Elizabeth Taylor with Richard Burton as he recorded Under Milk Wood at the BBC radio studios in 1963 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Samuel Beckett at home in his Paris apartment in 1961 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Paul McCartney, 1965 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Budgerigar breeder, Nottingham, circa 1965 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Playwright Brendan Behan and with his wife Beatrice, 1959 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Vanessa Redgrave, 1969 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection

Self-portrait, 1948 Photograph: Michael Peto/© University Of Dundee, The Peto Collection