Beth Williamson is an independent art historian. From 2009 to 2014 she was a Research Fellow at Tate. Her research is focused on the history of British art education, particularly in the post-war period. Previous sole authored publications include Between Art Practice and Psychoanalysis Mid-Twentieth Century: Anton Ehrenzweig in Context (Ashgate, 2015) and the co-edited volume The London Art Schools: Reforming the Art World, 1960 to Now (Tate Publishing, 2015).

• List of figuresAcknowledgementsTimelineIntroduction: William Johnstone: Artist and Teacher1. Journeys: From Edinburgh to Paris, circa 1919 to 1927A Borders ChildhoodAn Edinburgh EducationWilliam Richard LethabyPatrick GeddesD’Arcy Wentworth ThompsonTo Paris and beyondAndré LhoteMethod and MaterialsElsewhere2. Landscapes: Between America and the Borders, circa 1928 to 1949ScottishnessAn international artistJohnstone in AmericaThe nineteen fortiesAbstract paintingIndustrial design3. Time: A Point in Time, 1929/1937TimeExperimentChasmChangeA Place in TimeTheosophy4. Children: From Child Art to Man Art, 1941A history of child artFroebel and CiekMarion RichardsonHerbert ReadJohnstone and R.R. TomlinsonWriting on child artCreative Art in EnglandChildren as ArtistsChild Art to Man ArtNew methods5. Art School: Camberwell (1938–46) and Central (1947–60)InterdisciplinarityResponsivenessInternationalismAdventurous Experiment6. Poets: MacDiarmid, Scott, Muir, 1930s and 1970sA New Scottish RenaissanceEndarkenment: Unreasoned Relationship with ArtRe-emergence7. Peers and Painters: Scottish Artists, 1960 to 1980A Borders ReturnAbstract LandscapesPortraits and PatronsMiraculous ObjectsPlaster ReliefsTachism8. Reflections: In Retrospect and ConclusionAppendixBibliography

William Johnstone was not only one of Scotland’s most important twentieth century painters but also one of England’s most significant art educators. Johnstone’s contribution demands proper reassessment, and this invaluable book does just that, illuminating his work both as an artist and as a leader of higher education.