Spencer , Sir , Stanley , 1891-1959 , Knight , artist

Stanley Spencer was born in Cookham, Berkshire, and remained strongly attached to the village throughout his life. He was educated locally before studying at the Slade School of Fine Art, London (1908-1912). After serving in the First World War, mainly in the medical corps, he started to become well known as an artist. Besides Cookham, Stanley's Christian faith and his two marriages, to the artists Hilda Carline and Patricia Preece, were among the greatest influences on his work. His best known paintings include The Resurrection, Cookham (1924-1927) and Double Nude Portrait: the Artist and his Second Wife (1937). During the Second World War, Stanley served as an official war artist in Glasgow. He was knighted in Jul 1959, five months before his death.