John Lavery was born in Belfast, the son of a publican. John was orphaned at an early age and moved to Glasgow, where he became apprenticed to a photographer. It was here that he began to be interested in painting, as a result of retouching the negatives and adding tinted colour to the prints. Later, he studied art in London and Paris, and became a noted portraitist, especially of women. He painted landscapes as well ; and, in the First World War, was an official artist for the Royal Navy. He became an A.R.A in 1911, an R.A.. in 1921, and was knighted in 1921.    His first wife was Kathleen MacDowell, whom he married in 1890, but she died the following year ; his second wife was Hazel Martyn (q.v.).    (bio by: Iain MacFarlaine)  Family links:  Spouse:  Hazel Martyn Lavery (1880 – 1935)