Background
He was born on 12 March 1774 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where his father, John Scott, worked in a brewery.
He was born on 12 March 1774 at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where his father, John Scott, worked in a brewery.
At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to a tallow-chandler. But at the end of his articles went to London, where his fellow-townsman Robert Pollard gave him two years" instruction, at the same time paying him.
On leaving Pollard, Scott obtained employment from John Wheble, the proprietor of the Sporting Magazine, and for many years executed the portraits of racehorses published there. He became known among English animal engravers. Scott worked until 1821, when a stroke of paralysis practically terminated his career.
During the last years of his life he was assisted by the Artists" Benevolent Fund, of which he had been one of the originators.
Scott died at his residence in Chelsea, London, on 24 December 1827. A portrait of Scott, drawn by John Jackson Resident Advisor in 1823, was engraved by William Thomas Fry and published in 1826.