Trades' Maiden Hospital, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

18709

Title

Trades' Maiden Hospital, Edinburgh

Artist / maker

Shepherd, Thomas Hosmer

Engraver

Cruse, A

Date

1829

Size

10.0 x 15.3 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image comes from 'Modern Athens', a book of engravings based on drawings by Thomas Shepherd published in 1829. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Edinburgh was growing rapidly. The popular neoclassical architectural style of the time was inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and Edinburgh was nicknamed 'Athens of the North'. Shepherd's engravings celebrate the beauty of Edinburgh and show many notable buildings and streets both within the city, and further afield.

Trades' Maiden Hospital was founded in 1704 by the Trades Incorporations and Mrs Mary Erskine for the maintenance and education of daughters of tradesmen who had fallen into poverty. It was situated on the south side of Argyle Square and could house 23 girls. The school has operated from a variety of sites and was in Rillbank Terrace from 1855-1892, then moved to Grange Loan. Today the charity still operates from Melville Street.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Doors and doorways

Architecture > Architectural features > Gates

Architecture > Architectural features > Railings

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Education > Educational facilities > Schools

Healthcare and welfare > Healthcare and welfare facilities > Hospitals

People > Adults > Groups

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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