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George Pirie was the son of a Glasgow doctor, Dr John Pirie, and initially considered the medical profession himself before deciding to become an artist. He studied at Glasgow University before studying art at the Slade School in London and then in Paris under Boulanger. In 1899 he visited the United States and upon his return he settled for a while in Sussex eventually moving back to Glasgow and then finally settling in Stirlingshire. He is associated with the Glasgow School although he was not officially a "Glasgow Boy" per se. He specialised in painting animals and birds. In 1933 he became the eleventh President of the Royal Scottish Academy and in 1937 he was knighted in the Library of the Royal Scottish Academy. He held the office of President until 1944. He exhibited at the RSA from 1887 until 1945. He became an Associate of the RSA in 1913 and an Academician in 1923. Note that his death date appears to be disputed and is recorded variously as 13th March 1946 and 17th February 1946.