stanley spencer was born in cookham, berkshire, the eighth surviving child of william and anna caroline spencer (née slack). his father, usually known as par, was a music teacher and church organist. stanley's younger brother, gilbert spencer (1892–1979), also became a notable artist, known principally for his landscape paintings. the family home, "fernlea", on cookham high street, had been built by spencer's grandfather julius spencer. stanley spencer was educated at home by his sisters annie and florence, as his parents had reservations about the local council school but could not afford private education for him. however, gilbert and stanley took drawing lessons from a local artist, dorothy bailey. eventually, gilbert was sent to a school in maidenhead, but the family did not feel this would be beneficial for stanley, who was developing into a solitary teenager given to long walks, yet with a passion for drawing. par spencer approached local landowners, lord and lady boston, for advice, and lady boston agreed stanley could spend time drawing with her each week. in 1907 lady boston arranged for stanley to attend maidenhead technical institute, where his father insisted he should not take any exams.