Thomas Burnett

Background

He was born in Edinburgh, the son of a lithographic printer.

Education

He studied under William Brodie and at the School Board of the Trustees on Picardy Place (run by the trustees of the Royal Scottish Academy).

Career

His two principal claims to fame is as one of the chosen sculptors of the figures depicting characters from the novels of Sir Walter Scott on the Scott Monument on Princes Street in Edinburgh and for the famous sculpture of Robinson Crusoe at Alexander Selkirk’s birthplace of Lower Largo in Fife. In 1881 he is recorded as living with William Geddes at Gowan Brae Cottage, Perth Street, Perth. The red sandstone celtic cross is eroding but has a fine profile head of Burnett, sculpted by John Stevenson Rhind.

Achievements

• There he won their gold medal for the year in 1875. In 1876 he entered the Republic of South Africa School, focussing upon the human form and won the Stuart Prize in 1880.

Connections

associate:

Royal Scottish