Julian Trevelyan was a painter, printmaker, teacher and writer. He was born in Dorking, the son of a poet and scholar. His early work was experimental, his paintings incorporating everyday objects.

During his service in World War II he declared his religion to be Surrealism. His pictures retained an almost dreamlike, fantastic quality. He was married to the potter Ursula Darwin until the marriage was dissolved in 1950. He then married in 1951, the painter Mary Fedden.

He was Tutor at Chesleas School of Art between 1950-1960, and engraving tutor at the Royal College of Art between 1955-1963. He was made Hon Senior RA in 1986. He published his autobiography, idigo days in 1957. The tate gallery holds his work