William McLaren (1923-1987) grew up in Cardenden, Fife, Scotland with a crippling handicap that affected his feet. In 1944 he earned his Diploma and the Highly Commended Post Diploma from Edinburgh College of Art. After graduation and with a bursary from the Andrew Grant Fund he left Scotland and visited Italy and France. Throughout his life he remained a francophile and was fluent in French.
He earned a living as a commercial illustrator working for The Radio Times and The Listener. He is famous for illustrating the popular Beverly Nichols books. He also painted murals at Wemyss Castle, Hopetoun House and Tyninghame House.
William Jackson Worthington McLaren (Duncan Stuart, John D. Duncan, Duncan, Duncan) was born on 25 May 1868 in Olive Hill, Carter, Ky. He died on 3 Sep 1952 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Ca.
William married Iona Wahl daughter of Burgess Wahl and Telitha Kathryn Franklin on 26 Feb 1893 in Okeene, Kingfisher, Oklahoma Terr..