Charles Eamer Kempe (1837-1907) originally trained as a priest, but due to a stammer studied archeticture with the the chief exponent of 14th century English Gothic, George Bodley. Working for Bodley, Kempe learned the art of decorating church walls and ceilings. However, he became interested in stained glass and studied the art and craft at the studios of Clayton & Bell. By 1866 Kempe was working, with two assistants, as an independent designer in London, and in 1869 unhappy with the quality of the work produced for him, Kempe started his own workshop at Millbrook Place.