Born in Pittsburgh, George William Sotter attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia where he was a student of William Merritt Chase (1849 1916), Thomas Anshutz (1851 1912), and Henry George Keller (1870 1934). In 1902 he moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania for further instruction with Edward Willis Redfield (1869 1965). Sotter attained national recognition for his specialty, stained glass windows, but is also known for his nocturnal landscapes. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Art Association, the Salmagundi Club and the Stained Glass Association of America in New York, the Alliance Phillips' Mill Association in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and was a fellow of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.