Herioti Orphanotrophium - Heriot's Hospital

Category

Library Item

Item no

8786

Title

Herioti Orphanotrophium - Heriot's Hospital

Description

An early image of Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh. The entrance comprises of a tall tower and steeple. The three corners all have large square towers and many domes.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Engraver

Unknown

Date

1647

Size

19.8 x 26.3 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The artist has signed the work with the initials J.G.

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

Education > Educational facilities > Schools

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

(55°56′43″N, 3°11′38″W)

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