Playfair monument

Category

Library Item

Item no

9196

Title

Playfair monument

Artist / maker

Rose, David T.

Date

1942

Size

28.7 x 39.3 cm

Type

Watercolour

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

David Thomas Rose was born in the Scottish Borders and brought up in Nairn.
His first job took him to Glasgow in 1896 where he studied in night classes in Glasgow Academy of Art.
Family summer holidays were mostly taken in Scotland. His sister became a eminent obstetrician, working in Edinburgh and the Roses would often stay with her in Joppa or with other family in Fife. While there in 1933 Rose sketched prolifically, especially in the Dean Village and Leith Docks.

The Playfair Monument is situated at the south-east corner of the boundary wall surrounding the Calton Hill observatory. It was erected to the memory of John Playfair, an eminent mathematician, Professor of Natural Philosophy, and President of the Astronomical Institution. It was designed by his nephew, W.H. Playfair, and completed in 1826.

Calton Hill is situated at the east end of Princes Street in Edinburgh. It rises to a height of 108 metres and is another of the city's hills created by volcanic activity. Several monuments stand on the hill. Most prominent amongst these are the Nelson Monument, built in the shape of a telescope, and the unfinished National Monument, modelled on the Parthenon in Athens.

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