Born in Bristol in 1915, Mary Fedden studied at the Slade School of Fine Art, as a scholar, 1932-6. She taught painting – the first woman tutor – at the Royal College of Art, 1958-64, from 1965-70 at Yehudi Menuhin School. Was a member of LG, 1962-4, and participated in many other mixed shows. Solo shows included Redfern Gallery from 1953, Hamet gallery from 1970, Heal’s Mansard Gallery, Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol and elsewhere in the provinces. Major exhibition RWA in 1988, by which time she had been its president for several years. Mural commissions included Festival of Britain in 1951, the P & O liner Canberra in 1961, one with Julian Trevelyan at Charing Cross Hospital in 1980, and one for Colindale Hospital, 1985. Fedden was noted for her domestic, modest-sized still lifes, rich in colour and with an immaculate pattern element. HM The Queen, Chantrey Bequest for the Tate Gallery (now Tate Britain) and Contemporary Art Society bought her work. Lives in London. Was elected RA in 1992.