James Drummond RSA 1816 -1877

James Drummond RSA was born in Edinburgh in 1816.

He first exhibited in 1835, and from that time until his death was one of the most popular contributors to the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy.

He was elected Associate in 1846, and attained the Academicianship in 1852, he was also Librarian to the Academy, and on the death of W. B. Johnstone was appointed Curator of the National Gallery where several of his most important and characteristic works will be found.

He died after a long illness in 1877.

XVII.  …the council afterwards agreed to the following minute…

“With feelings of extreme regret the council have to record on their minutes the death, on Sunday, the 12^th instant, of their much esteemed brother Academician, James Drummond, who had for a period of more than thirty years been most indefatigable in promoting the interest and upholding the honour of the Academy in all its branches.  As Librarian for the greater part of that period, his strong antiquarian tendencies, his extensive historical knowledge, and correct information as to costume of all kinds, rendered his advice and assistance quite invaluable, and it was at the call of everyone in the least degree connected with Art, from the President of the Academy to the humblest of students, while his extensive and well-selected collection of works of Art and Literature were as accessible to his friends as to himself.  Always ready with a kindly encouraging word or deed to the young artists, many a one will miss his bright, cheer, quick, suggestive advice, or his equally kindly word of warning.  His works, which for more than forty years have never been absent from the walls of our Annual Exhibition, were so thoroughly studied, so carefully designed and elaborately carried out in their most minute details., that they will be much missed; more especially as they were all devoted to a style of art in which he had few competitors.  As filling the important office of Principal Curator of the National Gallery, for which he was so well qualified, his loss will be much felt, and it will be an anxious duty for the Council to suggest who is to succeed him in that very responsible situation.”