Birnie, William, RSW RGI
A student at GSA under Gilbert Spencer, Birnie won a place to Hospitalfield where he was taught by Ian Fleming RSA. In 1951 he was awarded the RSA Chalmers Bursary. He was one of the original Glasgow Group exhibitors in 1958 and served as the Group's Vice-President for 32 years. In 1964 he was responsible for founding the Glasgow Group Society. This established a significant number of subscribers whose membership fees helped the Group's finances and the Group in turn was able to offer a 20% discount on sales to members of the Society. For some years Birnie was Principal Teacher of Art a Douglas Academy in Milngavie , taking up the post of PT of Art a the new Gryffe Secondary School in Houston, Renfrewshire in 1979. Latterly Birnie served as Principal Examiner for Art with the Scottish Education Department. Birnie was elected SSA in 1952 and RSW in 1965. From 1957 he settled in the village of Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire, which provided him with a wealth of inspiration over the years for his paintings which were painted en plein air in all seasons and weathers.
