Alfred Alexander Webster (1883-1915) was a Scottish stained glass artist in the early nineteenth century. His talent established him as the successor to the Glasgow stained glass designer Stephen Adam who in turn considered Daniel Cottier to be his master. Webster was considered one of the most accomplished artists working in stained-glass during this period.^[1][2] Websters Theatre, Glasgow on 416 Great Western Road, Glasgow is named after Webster as the building contains two major stained glass windows (The Templeton window and the McCowan window) designed by him.^[3]

Early life and studies

Webster was born at 40 Keir Street in Pollokshields in Glasgow’s South Side on the 19th December 1883.^[4] He was the second son of George Webster (1842 -1910) and Ann Jane McCall. Webster had an elder brother, George, and two younger brothers called Gordon and Edward. At the age of 14 Webster completed his schooling before becoming a shipbroker’s clerk, probably employed at George Webster & Co., their father’s firm located at Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street. When he was employed as a shipbroker’s clerk Webster met and married Maude Caroline Murdoch Cochrane (1883-1959). Both Webster and Maude were eighteen years old when they married in June 1901. After his marriage to Maude, Webster changed his career turning his focus to the study of Architecture. In 1903 he registered for evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art.^[5] In his first year at Glasgow School of Art Webster studied Architecture and Modelling under David G Miller and Walter Robert Watson. Architectural Historian Gordon Urquhart notes that it is difficult to know exactly how Webster’s artistic output was shaped by his time at GSA but Urquhart argues that Webster’s biggest stylistic influence came during his time studying and working under Stephen Adam (1848–1910).

Career

Webster’s style is very distinctive.^[6] Urquhart notes that it is difficult to note when Webster began to ‘find his own particular voice’ but it is clear that Webster’s style matured during his time at the Stephen Adam studio quickly becoming one of Scotland most proficient and innovative stained-glass artists. His style is heavily designed with colour, shape and texture at the forefront of the design. He used pioneering techniques such as acid etching and the use of thick Norman slab glass^[7] which at the time was popularised by the leading English artist Christopher Whall (1849-1924). Websters later work is heavily laden with symbolism. With the outbreak of war in Europe in August 1914 Webster was a highly successful stained-glass artist with several commissions from a variety of churches throughout Scotland. Commissions for stained glass windows in 1914 included churches in Orkney, St Andrews and the completion and installation of the McCowan window at Landsdowne church (now Websters’ Bar & Theatre).

Personal life

In 1910 Webster, Maude and their family were living in a house called Woodside in Uplawmoor before moving into Stephen Adam’s former home at 168 Bath Street, Glasgow. By 1915 Webster and Maude had three young children Martyn, Gordon McWhirter and Alfred Edward Comyn. From 1911 Webster appears to have run the Stephen Adam Studio and quickly achieved a reputation in the art world.^[8]

In 1915 Webster volunteered to fight for his country passing his medical and physical mandatory examinations at the Maryhill Barracks on the 26th February 1915. Webster was deemed fit for service and joined the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Gordon Highlanders. He was recommended by the Battalion’s Commanding Officer for the post of 2nd Lieutenant. By the 17th March 1915 he had received his commission as a probationary 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders and was based in the Aberdeen city garrison. The 1st Battalion of the Gordons, with Webster, were shipped to the front lines in May 1915. Urquhart notes that Websters movements during the war are difficult to trace but that the 1st Battalion were stationed near Ouderdom southwest of Ypres. Webster, along with several other men, were injured during a period of shelling between the 13 and 17 August. Webster died from his injuries in Etaples on the 24th of August 1915. After Websters death his wife, Maude Webster, continued to operate the stained glass firm^[9] under its original title of the Stephen Adam Studio.^[10] Maude placed the practical management of the glass shop in the hands of the firm’s former apprentice and assistant Douglas Hamilton (1895 -1959). Hamilton completed several of Webster’s commissions after his mentor’s death.^[11]

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