Background
Birley was born in New Zealand while his parents were on a world tour. He was born into an old Lancashire family.
Birley was born in New Zealand while his parents were on a world tour. He was born into an old Lancashire family.
Upon returning to England, he was educated at Harrow School, London and Trinity College, Cambridge.
During World World War II he served with the rank of major in the Home Guard. A favourite of the Royal Family, he was well known for his portraits of King George V, Queen Mary, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and the present monarch Queen Elizabeth World War II Other subjects were many war-time leaders such as Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery, as well as Admiral Mountbatten and Air Marshal Trenchard. He also painted the wealthy American financiers Andrew Mellon and J. P. Morgan, the psychiatrist Sir James Crichton-Browne, and Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis.
He was knighted in 1949.
In April 2013, it was reported that Sir Oswald had painted the portrait of Leeds Lord Mayor Sir Charles Lupton (1855–1935) who was the great great greatuncle of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. He was the great-grandson of Hugh Hornby Birley, who led the troops at the Peterloo Massacre.