Cutting from The Architects' Journal, January 15 1953, from private collection. Text: Lawrence Lee. Life and Times. Lawrence Lee has been had of Stained Glass Department (the smallest) at Royal College of Art since 1948. There are twelve students on a three-year course. Spence, who wanted the ten 70ft high nave windows to be conceived and executed in a contemporary and semi-abstract idom, gave commission to RCA, which has entrusted direction of work to Lawrence Lee - and with him Geoffrey Clark and Keith New (both former students). Born in 1909, Chelsea. Studied at Kingston-on-Thames School of Art with designing in mind. Scholarship to RCA in 1927, where he studied mural decoration and stained glass under Martin Travers. After leaving he did stained glass, commercial work, pub signs and art teaching. Volunteered for the RAMC at outbreak of war, later transferring to heavy anti-aircraft with a commission, Service in North Afrida and Italy. Used to give drawing lessons to the battery. Ended service conceiving and organising art school in Florence for servicemen pending demobilization. Joined staff of RCA in 1946; joined Travers in his stained glass practice the same year. In 1948 Travers died, leaving him the work of the practice; RCA was reorganised by Robin Darwin. Lawence Lee asked to become head of Department of Stained Glass. Lives in Edwardian house in New Malden. Interests include designing model aeroplanes and gliders for Stephen (10 years old) and Martin (5 years old). Likes Bach (makes him think of Georgian facades) and travelling to outlandish places.
It was known that Spence had been commissioned to design the new Coventry Cathedral. When he saw the work of the RCA students, he said, "That's what I want for my Cathedral" - and negotiations started from that point. See Alt text on image #LawrenceLee #LSL #CoventryCathedral #StainedGlassSunday 2/4
