George Douglas Pepper (1903-1962) was a distinguished Canadian artist known for his contributions to painting, printmaking, and art education. Born in Ottawa, Pepper studied under J.E.H. MacDonald and J.W. Beatty at the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, graduating in 1924. He further honed his skills at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris and spent significant time in Italy.

Upon returning to Canada in 1925, Pepper delved into relief printing alongside Carl Schaefer. He began teaching at the Banff School of Fine Arts in 1928, creating linoprints inspired by First Nations themes. He exhibited with the Royal Canadian Academy and was active in the Ontario Society of Artists during the mid-1920s.

In 1930, Pepper moved to Toronto to teach at the Ontario College of Art, eventually becoming vice-principal in 1950. He was a founding member of the Canadian Group of Painters in 1933. His career included a commission by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1954 to paint a mural for their new transcontinental train, depicting Kootenay National Park. In 1957, he was inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Pepper's artistic contributions extended to his role as an Official War Artist during WWII. He captured scenes of Canadian soldiers and military operations, contributing over 100 works to the Canadian war records. His artwork is featured in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Canadian War Museum.

Pepper, alongside his artist wife Kathleen Daly, explored Inuit art in the eastern Arctic in 1960. He passed away in Toronto in 1962, leaving behind a legacy celebrated in Canada's major museums and art exhibitions.