View source for Ramsay, Allan

{{Template2
|Dates=1738-1753; 1757-1764
|Location=London
|Vocation=Artist
|Place of Birth=Edinburgh
|Marriage=Anne Bayne; Margaret Lindsay 
|Issue=Amelia; Charlotte; John; 3 further children
|Source=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
}}
Set up as a portrait painter in Edinburgh (1734).  Left to travel in Italy (1736).  Settled in London (1738), and quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after portraitists in the capital, especially through his full-length portraits, often of Scottish aristocrats such as the 2nd Duke of Argyll.  Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (1743).  Visited Scotland frequently, and moved back to Edinburgh (1753).  Again left to tour Italy (1754).  Returned to London (1754), and through 3rd Earl of Bute enjoyed significant royal patronage, painting George III, Queen Charlotte and various other members of the royal family.  Elected to the Society of Artists (1757), and became its vice-president (1765).  Published several works of moral and political philosophy, including "On Ridicule" (1753), "Essay on the Naturalization of Foreigners" (1754), "A Dialogue on Taste" (1755), "An Essay on the Constitution of England" (1765), "Thoughts on the Origin and Nature of Government" (1769), "An Enquiry into the Rights of the East India Company of Making War and Peace" (1772) and "A Succinct Review of the American Contest" (1778).