Aiken, John Macdonald, RSA
1880 – 1961
Born in Aberdeen, the son of a carpenter, he worked initially as an apprentice draughtsman in a granite merchant's office. He then studied at Gray's School of Art and at the Royal College of Art, South Kensington having won a scholarship. Worked for a period in London but then returned to his native Aberdeen. He was Headmaster of Gray's School of Art between 1911 and 1914. From 1914 - 1918 he served in the Royal Engineers. He exhibited at the RSA Annual Exhibitions from 1905 until 1959. In addition to his paintings, mainly portraits, he also produced a large amount of etchings and stained glass designs. He became an Associate Member of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1923 and became an Academician in 1936.
