David McGill was born in Maybole, Ayreshire, Scotland in 1864 and studied at the National Art Training School in South Kensington, London and at the Royal Academy Schools in London where he was awarded a travelling scholarship.

He subsequently worked as a sculptor until at least the late 1920s. He exhibited frequently at the Royal Academy in London from 1889 to 1924. He also exhibited at the New Gallery, International Society of Sculptors, Painters & Gravers, and Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in London; the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool; Royal Birmingham Society of Artists; Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts; Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh; and at Manchester City Art Gallery. He participated in the 11th exhibition of the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society at the Royal Academy in London in 1916, and in the International Medallic Exhibition in New York City in 1910.

He was elected a member of Royal Society of British Sculptors in 1923; and an Associate of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters & Gravers in 1907.

McGill produced commemorative medals of the missionary-explorer David Livingstone, the scientist Thomas Henry Huxley and the sculptor Francis Derwent Wood.

His address was given as 15 Cadogan Street, London in 1889 and 1892; The Studios, Bloomfield Place, London in 1893; 7 Camden Studios, Camden Street, London in 1897 and 1904; 1 Scarsdale Villas, Kensington, London in 1904 and 1918; and Visalia, Glenwood Road, West Moors, Dorset in 1919 and 1947.

He died on 20 January 1947. His death was registered in Blandford Forum, Dorset.

_{Text source: Art History Research net (AHR net)}