Allan, SIR WILLIAM,

Allan, SIR WILLIAM, a distinguished Scottish historical painter, was born at Edinburgh in 1782, and educated at the High School. Having early displayed a taste for drawing, he was apprenticed to a coach-painter, and studied at the Trustees' Academy, with Wilkie for a fellow-pupil. He subsequently entered the schools of the Royal Academy of London, and in 1803 exhibited 'A Gipsy Boy with an Ass;' but in 1805 he set out for St Petersburg, where the friendly interest of his countryman, Sir Alexander Crichton, the imperial family physician, soon procured him employment. In the Russian capital he spent several years, making occasional tours to the south of Russia, the Crimea, Turkey, and Circassia. In 1814 he returned to Edinburgh, and next year exhibited his 'Circassian Captives,' which, thanks to Sir Walter Scott, was sold by subscription for 1000 guineas. After a severe attack of ophthalmia, he visited Italy, Turkey, Greece, and Asia Minor. In 1826 he was elected an Associate of the London Academy; in 1835, an Academician. In 1838 he became president of the Royal Scottish Academy; and on Wilkie's death in 1841, he was knighted and appointed Limner to Her Majesty for Scotland. He died in his painting-room, 22d February 1850. Though not a great painter, Allan gave such an impulse to historical painting, especially of national subjects, as entitles him to a high place in the history of Scottish art.