Artist and lecturer, born in London, who studied at St Albans College of Art, 1959–67, notable teachers being Norman Adams, Euan Uglow and George Fullard. He lectured at Manchester School of Art, 1967–77; Lanchester (Coventry), 1974–7; gained a Brinkley Fellowship and Lectureship, Norwich School of Art, 1983–6; and also lectured at the Royal Academy Schools, 1986, and University of Wales, 1994. Whitaker took part in many mixed exhibitions, his series of solo shows including the Sheffield School of Art, 1979; four Open Studios, Wapping, 1979–83; and University of Glamorgan, 1995. He won first prize in the Wales Open, Aberystwyth, 1990. Arts Council holds his Memory of Trogir, 1983, and The Wanderer II, 1984, figurative pictures with a strong fantasy element; Leeds Education Committee and Tower Hamlets Borough Council also acquired examples.