Born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Kenneth Rowntree studied at the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford (1930–34) and the Slade School of Art (1934–35). During the War he participated in the ‘Recording Britain’ project and was an Official War Artist. His first solo show in London (1946) was later followed by shows in Oxford, Newcastle and Newton. He joined the Society of Mural Painters and taught this subject at the Royal College of Art (1948–58). He made murals for ships and the British Pavilion, Brussels International Exhibition (1958). He taught in London and Oxford (1949–58) and won a Ford Foundation grant (USA, 1959). Professor of Fine Art at the University of Newcastle (1959–80), Rowntree’s works are in public collections including the Tate.
