The artist and designer Joseph Simpson was born in Carlisle and studied at Glasgow School of Art. He started his professional career in Edinburgh, earning a living through book illustration. His studio in Castle Street was the meeting place for a small group of artists who called themselves jokingly the ‘SPO’, which stood for their favourite food of sausages, potatoes and onions. Its ‘members’ included the young S J Peploe and J D Fergusson, who later became famous Scottish Colourists. After ten years in Edinburgh, Simpson moved to London where he pursued a career as an illustrator and poster artist. He also painted portraits, and his etchings sold widely. Simpson was appointed an official war artist in France during the First World War, for which he was awarded the CBE.