Alfred (Alf) Webster


1883 - 1915

Stained glass artist. Born in Pollokshields (Glasgow) and educated at the Albert Road Academy, Webster began his career as a shipbrokers' clerk but enrolled in evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art in 1903 to pursue his interests in architecture and design.

He joined the established stained glass studio of Stephen Adam (1848 - 1910), became a partner in the firm in 1909 and took control as sole partner following Adam's death. He is recognised as one of the world's premier stained glass artists. His work features across Scotland, including Ramshorn Church and Shettleston Old Parish Church (Glasgow), St. Michael's Parish Church (Linlithgow), St. Andrew's and St. George's West Church and St. Anne's Parish Church (Edinburgh), Alyth Parish Church, Glendevon Parish Church (Perth & Kinross), Lecropt Parish Church (Bridge of Allan) and New Kilpatrick Parish Church (Bearsden). Webster is said to have influenced the American stained-glass designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Webster enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders in March 1915, was sent to the front-line at Ypres in June and died of his wounds two months later. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery in France. His business was kept running by his widow, Maude, and taken on by his son Gordon Webster (1908-87) in the late 1920s. His name is remembered in Webster's Theatre, an entertainment venue occupying the former Lansdowne Parish Church in Glasgow, which also features his work.


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