Library Item

3570

Tomb of John Cunninghame, Greyfriars

An image of tombs in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. One tomb has stone carvings and columns. Other gravestones are nearby, those on the wall have foliage growing over them. In the background is Heriots Hospital.

1856

21.8 x 27.8 cm

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Greyfriars Kirkyard, or Graveyard, is the burial ground of Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. It houses the graves of many notable historical figures including the poet Allan Ramsay, the geologist James Hutton and the architect William Adam. In 1679 several hundred Covenanters were imprisoned in the Kirkyard awaiting trial.

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.