Scotlands History

Allan Ramsay

Son of Allan Ramsay the bookseller and poet (1684-1758), Allan was born in Edinburgh and attended the Royal High School. Already making a name as an up-and-coming painter, Allan Ramsey undertook a Grand Tour to Italy in 1736-9. 

He became a hugely successful society painter in London and Edinburgh, and had a constant flow of commissions. With David Hume (whom he painted) and Adam Smith, he founded the Select Society in Edinburgh (1754) to encourage all aspects of debate ‘apart from revealed religion and Jacobitism’.

Ramsay was friendly with Rousseau, Voltaire and Diderot, and influenced the work of Reynolds and Gainsborough. Ramsay revisited Italy in 1754-7, became court painter to George III, and latterly lived in very grand style in London. 

  • Self portrait by Allan Ramsay

Click on the image to view a larger version.