Douglas Strachan (26 May 1875, Aberdeen, Scotland – 20 November 1950) is considered the most significant Scottish designer of stained glass windows in the 20th century. He is best known for his windows at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, at Edinburgh's Scottish National War Memorial and in cathedrals and churches throughout the United Kingdom. He is also known for his paintings, murals, and illustrations. Early life and education Strachan was born in Aberdeen in 1875. He studied art at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen from 1893—1894 while he worked as an apprentice to the Aberdeen Free Press as a lithographer. He later studied art at the Life School of the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh from 1894—1895. Career From 1895 to 1897, Strachan worked in Manchester as a black and white artist on several newspapers, and as a political cartoonist for the Manchester Evening Chronicle. Strachan learned to work in stained glass in 1898—1899, while in Manchester, probably studying with Walter Williams, of the firm, Williams Brothers & Co., Chester, Manchester and London. Strachan returned to Aberdeen after 1897 and worked as a mural and portrait painter. In 1899, Strachan travelled to France and Italy. He studied the art of medieval and renaissance Italy, as well as contemporary French painters. In a memoir written by Strachan's daughter, she stated that Strachan had been "enthralled by the medieval windows of Chartres—inspired above all by their luminous monumentality rather than specific details of style and technique." Strachan's European tour had a major impact on his future work as a stained-glass artist. The two windows Strachan completed in 1900 after his return from Europe, show the influence of the art he studied on his tour and also his growing interest in stained glass of the Arts and Crafts movement. Jesus Blessing Children (1900), South Church, St Mark's, Aberdeen and Christ in Glory and Evangelists (901), St James Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, both represent the imagery and jewel like tones of contemporary Arts and Crafts windows. By 1909, Strachan had produced a number of stained glass works. He was hired as the head of the Crafts Section of the Edinburgh College of Art. He supervised the Applied Art department of the College, which included classes in stained glass. Strachan, and his brother Alexander, who was hired as the technical instructor of stained glass, opened a stained-glass studio-workshop in Edinburgh. The added stress