Daniel Cottier


1837 - 1891

Influential designer. Born in Anderston (Glasgow) to a Manx father and mother from the Highlands, Cottier trained initially in Glasgow and then in Edinburgh, where he was able to attend the Trustees Drawing Academy. He moved to London c.1859 and there was influenced by the critic John Ruskin (1819 - 1900) and designer William Morris (1834-96). He returned to Edinburgh in 1862 and joined the firm of Field & Allan for whom he supervised the glazing and decoration of Pilrig Parish Church. Within two years he had set up on his own account, joined by other talented young designers like Stephen Adam (1848 - 1910). Cottier was particularly noted for his stained glass, working in London, New York and Sydney. His Scottish commissions include windows in Dowanhill Parish Church in Glasgow (1867; now the Cottier Theatre), St. Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen (1873) St. Nicholas Church, Aberdeen (1875) and Paisley Abbey (c.1880).

Cottier is credited with introducing the Aesthetic movement to America and Australia. He worked with John La Farge in New York and is considered to have been an important influence on Louis Comfort Tiffany. He died in the USA and lies buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in New York.


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