Born in Arbroath, Angus, the late William Littlejohn studied at the Dundee College of Art before going on to teach at various schools in Angus. In 1966, he was appointed lecturer at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and Head of Fine Art in 1970. He remained in this role until his retirement in 1986. He was elected member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours in 1970, Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1973 and Member of the Royal Glasgow Institute in 1989. He has exhibited widely around Britain, particularly in Scotland, and his work is held in numerous collections including that of H.M. The Queen, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Scottish Arts Council and the Royal Scottish Academy.