Brief Biography-Sir William Allan was from Edinburgh; his first experience with brushes was with painting coaches as an apprentice. He later studied with David Willkie and other now notable Scottish artists at the Trustee’s Academy. Allan joined the Royal Academy in London for studies before eventually travelling to Russia. He managed by painting portraits on his way to Moscow and exploring Ukraine. In 1814, Allan returned to Edinburgh. His work gained attention from the Royal Academy, and with the help of some Scottish authors, he could sell some of his paintings. He became master of the Trustee’s School Edinburgh before travelling to Italy and other hot countries for health reasons. Allan eventually became President of the Royal Scottish Academy and Painter and Limner, which gained him a knighthood. He continued his travels abroad, revisiting Germany, France, and Russia before dying in Edinburgh in 1850.