Dr James Graham Lecturing in Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

13455

Title

Dr James Graham lecturing in Edinburgh

Description

A spring 1783 lecture by Dr. James Graham. The scene shows a large crowded room with Doctor Graham standing elevated above the audience, dressed in a dark coat and neck tie, and wearing a wig. He appears to be addressing the room with one hand raised in a rhetorical gesture, holding what might be a scroll. The audience is densely packed, filling the lower portion of the image, with dozens of figures wearing period clothing and wigs typical of the 18th century. The crowd appears attentive to the speaker.

Artist / maker

Kay, John

Date

1785

Size

14.6 x 13 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:
"In Spring 1783, Doctor Graham again paid a visit to his native city, and for the first time gave his fellow-citizens a lecture, which the Magistrates of Edinburgh deemed improper for public discussion, and accordingly endeavoured to suppress by the arm of power. The Doctor immediately published " an appeal to the public," in which he attacked the Magistrates, and particularly the Lord Provost, John Grieve, Esq. For this, the Procurator-Fiscal raised a criminal complaint in the Bailie Court against him, and as his real prosecutors were his judges the result was, his being mulcted in £20, and imprisoned till the fine was paid. He suffered, however, no very tedious imprisonment, as his supporters collected the money amongst themselves. He also continued to give his eccentric lectures as long as the public curiosity lasted; and to induce people to hear his lectures, the admission being three shillings, he promised each person a book worth six shillings—viz. a copy of his lectures! The admission was reduced subsequently to two shillings, and lastly to one."

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Panelling

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Neckties

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Wigs

Clothing and dress > Garments > Coats

Education > Educational activities > Learning

People > Adults > Crowds

People > Health and safety > Doctors

People > Health and safety > Physicians

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