Painter, designer and lecturer on art history, born in Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, son of the artist William Reid Mainds. He studied at Glasgow School of Art, gaining a travelling scholarship and diploma, further studying on the continent. Taught at Glasgow, then at Durham University. He was a member of Glasgow Art Club and an associate of RSA, also showing at Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, RA, RSW and Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Lived at Gosforth, Northumberland. His wife was the artist and teacher Mary Mainds.