Grant, SIR FRANCIS,

Grant, SIR FRANCIS, fourth son of Francis Grant of Kilgraston, Perthshire, was born in Edinburgh on 18th January 1803. He was educated at Harrow and the university of Edinburgh for the Scottish bar, but abandoned that profession to follow his natural genius for painting. A noble portrait by Velasquez is said to have exercised an especial influence over the young painter's future career. His first picture was exhibited in 1834, when he at once took rank among the best portrait-painters of the day, and was regarded as a worthy successor of Lawrence. His most famous works are those in which he has combined the likenesses of distinguished characters with scenes of English sport. The 'Meet of H.M. Staghounds,' painted in 1837 for Lord Chesterfield, and containing no less than forty-six portraits; the 'Melton Hunt,' executed for the Duke of Wellington; and the 'Cottesmore,' for Sir R. Sutton, are the best known in this class. Among his other paintings may be mentioned the equestrian portraits of the Queen and Prince Consort for Christ's Hospital; the picture of the beautiful Marchioness of Waterford; and those of Lords Palmerston, Russell, Gough, Macaulay, Hardinge, &c. In 1842 Grant was elected Associate, and in 1851 Academician. In 1866 he became President of the Royal Academy and was knighted. In 1870 Oxford conferred upon him the degree of D.C.L. He died on 5th October 1878.