| Description Of Item | Oil on canvas, 91.4 x 78.7 cm
Daniel Rutherford graduated from Edinburgh in 1772 and then travelled for three years. He started a practice in Edinburgh in 1775 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. He served as Secretary for 11 years, as Censor for six and for 18 years was a Member of Council. He was President from 1796 to 1798. In 1786 Rutherford was appointed Professor of Medicine and of Botany and Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
Professor Daniel Rutherford was an uncle to Sir Walter Scott, and Lockhart in his 'Life of Scott' quotes a letter from Sir Walter to his brother in which is recorded the deaths of three of the Rutherford family in one week. They were Scott's mother, his uncle (the above professor) and an aunt, Miss C. Rutherford. Daniel Rutherford's reputation as a chemist was established at the age of 21 when he discovered nitrogen. It was much to his regret that he did not obtain the Chair of Chemistry at Edinburgh.
Artist: Henry Wright Kerr |