Stained Glass Artist David Keir was born in Irvine in 1802 and died in Glasgow in 1864. He is one a very small band of pioneers in this field; Scotland's churches had rejected the use of stained glass after the Reformation in 1560. It was only in the early decades of the 19th Century that the first modern era windows were approved and installed. Keir created a thriving practice in Glasgow and is principally remembered for his work in the installation of 26 windows at Glasgow Cathedral. The year following his death, his sons installed a commemorative window and plaque, which can now be viewed at the South Entrance to the Cathedral - this is a very rare honour to have been accorded to an artist/craftsman. You can find out more here:

http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSE01067

His prodigious output included several windows in the Mure Church in Irvine ( the principal West Window of which is shown in the design of the photo montage to the left of this text, photographed by Donald Gibson). For more on this:

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/sc-35412-west-road-mure-church-church-of-scotland

He and his sons were partly responsible for training one of the mid to late Victorian Era's greatest stained glass and interior decoration artists, a Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood-inspired genius - Daniel Cottier

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Cottier

You can see examples of the beautiful work produced by Keir and his sons in The Irvine Archive:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/14635108@N25/pool/

PRESS CUTTINGS

The Glasgow Herald, UK, Tuesday 3rd January 1865, page 2:

The family and descendants all spell the name as "Kier" however there are historic references of the other spelling. David Kier installed 60 Bavarian stained glass windows in 1856 (under duress!) and in 1859 was appointed Master Glazier to the Cathedral. In the early 1900's most of the Bavarian windows were removed.

The Glasgow Herald, UK, Tuesday 3rd January 1865, page 2:

"MEMORIALS TO THE DEAD IN GLASGOW CATHEDRAL..."

The First Commissioner has performed a graceful act, by causing an inscription, carved in hard stone, to be inserted in the wall of the Cathedral, near the south-west door. It is to the following effect:- "David Kier, master glazier, inserted with his own hands sixty painted windows in this ancient Cathedral. Died 14th March, A.D. 1864." To the skill of the late Mr. Kier was entirely owing to the perfect workmanship with which the painted windows were inserted in their places as they arrived; to his care, also, we owe the perfection to the measurements, which enabled the artists to fit their work so perfectly to the spaces destined to receive it. It too often happens that the skilful and conscientious working man is forgotten, and our attention is drawn only to those who from their station in life and other circumstances are better known to the public. This recognition of the diligent and zealous workman, and this commemoration of his humble but invaluable services, reflect infinite credit on the judgement and good taste, as well as on the good feeling, of the First Commissioner, We are happy to think that Mr. Kier's connection with the Cathedral windows was the means of establishing an excellent business now carried on, with daily increasing prosperity, by his son."

Many thanks to Ray Brown (Melbourne, Australia) for these newspaper excerpts, please visit his excellent website:

https://fergusonandurie.wordpress.com/