Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

7783

Title

Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh

Description

The impressive building of George Heriot's School, Edinburgh has towers at each corner topped by watchtowers with cupolas. A stone balustrade surrounds the building broken by a stone staircase that provides an access point through it. A lawn divided by a path is in the foreground of the image.

Artist / maker

Wilson, George Washington

Date

1880

Size

11.8 x 16.8 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image has been chosen for the Edinburgh - Past and Present Exhibition by David McLetchie, MSP - "I went to Heriots for my secondary education from 1964-1970 and am proud to have been a pupil at what I regard as one of Scotland's finest schools housed in an imposing building which is steeped in history and an enduring memorial to its founder George Heriot and his generosity" David McLetchie.

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 images

Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Cupolas

Architecture > Architectural features > Stairways

Education > Educational facilities > Schools

Places > Edinburgh areas > Tollcross

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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