Trotter, Alexander Mason, ARSA
1890 – 1946
The son of William Trotter, a coachman, and his wife Helen Stewart Mason or Trotter, restrictions imposed by a spinal injury sustained in childhood led Trotter to an interest in drawing. After graduating from Edinburgh College of Art he gained employment in commercial art, working for various publishers, including with Messrs Thomas Nelson & Sons where he worked under Walter Grieve RSA. Amongst his early productions were three illustrations for the Porpoise Press' Broadsheet Number Twelve, 'Two Poems' by Violet Jacob published in 1924. Working mainly in watercolour, he secured election as an RSW, and at Assembly on 1942-03-18 he was elected and Associate painter Member of the RSA. He painted everyday objects often imbuing them with a sense of drama. During the Second World War he was involved with the Rosyth Naval Canteen murals and painted decorations on several British warships including HMS Renown. Twice married he had two sons by his first marriage.
