(Robert) Douglas Strachan


1875 - 1950

Stained glass artist. Born in Aberdeen, Strachan was educated at Robert Gordon's College. He trained at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, and the Royal Academy in London. He worked as a newspaper illustrator and cartoonist in Manchester, but then travelled Europe studying art (1897-98). He returned to Aberdeen where he began to develop his reputation as the most significant and prolific stained glass artist of the first half of the 20th C. In 1908 he moved to Edinburgh and took a senior position in Edinburgh College of Art. His works include windows for the Scottish National War Memorial and St. Margaret's Chapel in Edinburgh Castle, Bute Hall and the Memorial Chapel for the University of Glasgow, King's College Chapel (Aberdeen), St. Salvator's Chapel in the University of St. Andrews, St. Machar's Cathedral (Aberdeen), St. Magnus' Cathedral (Kirkwall), Paisley Abbey and St. John's Kirk (Perth). Strachan considered his finest work was a window in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, sadly destroyed during the Second World War. He was awarded an honorary degree by a grateful University of Aberdeen in 1923.

He died at his home Pittendriech House near Lasswade (Midlothian).


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