Duncan McLea - Duncan Fraser McLea (1841 - 1916). Marine, landscape and portrait painter in oil and watercolour. Born in Scotland. He spent some years at sea, before taking up painting as a career. After settling in South Shields he is only known to have exhibited outside Northumbria on two occasions those being at the Royal Scottish Academy. He has exhibited at the Royal Central Exchange Art Gallery, Berwick Club and South Shields Art Club. Much of his later work is characterised by rather crude colouring this is said to be due to his failing eyesight.