Raeburn

Raeburn, Sir Henry (1756-1823), portrait-painter, was the son of a Scotch mill-owner. While an apprentice to an Edinburgh goldsmith he attracted the attention of Deuchar, and soon began to execute water-colour miniatures. Having married a rich lady, he began to paint portraits in oil; and in 1785 was able to go for two years to Italy, armed with introductions from Reynolds. He painted the portraits of Scott, Jeffrey, Dugald Stewart, and all the great Scotsmen of his day. In 1812 he was elected President of the Edinburgh Society of Artists, and in 1815 R.A.