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Playfair Monument, Calton Hill
Begbie, Thomas, 1887, Glass negative
Playfair Monument, Calton Hill
Playfair Monument, Calton Hill
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Museums & Galleries Item
Item no
11631
Title
Playfair Monument, Calton Hill
Description
The Playfair Monument on Calton Hill, Edinburgh is a square stone temple-like structure of Greek Doric style. The base of the monument is surrounded by a low wall and railings. A man wearing a top hat sits on the grass in front of the monument reading a book. The City Observatory can be seen in the background.
Artist / maker
Begbie, Thomas
Date
1887
Size
8.3 x 17.1 cm
Type
Glass negative
Location
City Art Centre
Copyright
The Cavaye Collection of Thomas Begbie Prints ; The City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries
The Playfair Monument is situated at the south-east corner of the boundary wall surrounding the Calton Hill observatory. It was erected to the memory of John Playfair, an eminent mathematician, Professor of Natural Philosophy, and President of the Astronomical Institution. It was designed by his nephew, W.H. Playfair, and completed in 1826.
Exhibitions with this item
Calton Hill and its monuments
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Architecture
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Architectural features
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Railings
Architecture
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Monuments
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Memorial monuments
Natural phenomena
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Astronomy
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Observatories
People
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Adults
>
Men
Places
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Edinburgh areas
>
Calton Hill
Places
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Scotland
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Edinburgh
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Infrastructure
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Trails and paths
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