Statue of George Heriot

Category

Library Item

Item no

3826

Title

Statue of George Heriot

Description

Statue of a man on the front of Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh. The man has a beard and moustache. He is wearing a doublet, breeches, a neck ruff and a cloak. The statue is sited in a niche with columns on either side. The niche and adjacent windows both have ornate carving of stylised flowers and angels above them.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1850

Size

15.4 x 15 cm

Type

Salted paper print

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 > Stone carvings

Architecture > Architectural features > Windows

Architecture > Monuments > Statues

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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