Heriots Hospital, Edinburgh, the Council Room

Category

Library Item

Item no

15449

Title

Heriots Hospital, Edinburgh, the Council Room

Description

A line drawing of the ornate Council Room at Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh. The walls are panelled and ornate plasterwork or panelling covers the ceiling. An open grate fireplace has tiles with cats on them and above it a large coat of arms is carved into the wall. On the checkerboard floor stands a long table and two chairs.

Artist / maker

Billings, Robert William

Engraver

Le Keux, J. H.

Date

1847

Size

17.5 x 23.5 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

George Heriot was a famous and wealthy Edinburgh goldsmith and moneylender. When he died in 1624 he left a considerable sum of money to establish a school for the poor and parentless in Edinburgh. Construction of George Heriot's Hospital began in 1628 but was not finished until 1650. It was almost immediately appropriated by Cromwell for use as a military hospital. It resumed its role as a school and home for orphans in 1659. It later came to be known as George Heriot's School, and now operates as an independent mixed school.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Ceilings

Architecture > Architectural features > Fireplaces

Architecture > Architectural features > Panelling

Education > Educational facilities > Schools

Furnishings > Furniture > Chairs

Furnishings > Furniture > Tables

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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