Francis Grose

A stippled steel plate engraving from an earlier (c 1790) portrait of the eighteenth century antiquary and friend of Robert Burns.   Burns wrote the poem, "Tam O'Shanter" as a "witch story" to accompany an illustration of Alloway Kirk which was published by his friend, Captain Francis Grose in his "Antiquities of Scotland". Robert Burns and Francis Grose met and became friends whilst Grose was researching this book.   This portrait of Francis Grose by Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland RA corresponds to Burns' description of him in the poem, "On The Late Captain Grose" - "If in your bounds ye chance to light, Upon a fine fat, fodgel wight, O' stature short, but genius bright, That's he, mark weel".   This portrait of Francis Grose was published in "The Land of Burns - A series of Landscapes and Portraits, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of the Scottish Poet". This was published in 1846 by Blackie and Son of Glasgow. At this time the development of steel plate engraving made it possible for images to be reproduced in much greater numbers than previous printing technology had allowed. Books such as this one, illustrated by engravings of works by eminent artists became popular, although they were still expensive and beyond the pocket of most people.