Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855

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Scottish antiquary who wrote "Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino" and "Memoirs of Sir Robert Strange and Andrew Lumisden." Collected early Italian and Spanish pictures and miniatures, and did research on the history of Dumbartonshire.

From the description of Dennistoun correspondence, 1785-1855. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 77693591

From the description of Dennistoun correspondence, 1785-1855. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702146806

James Dennistoun, the eldest son of James Dennistoun of Dumbartonshire, was born in 1803 and educated at the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, becoming a member of the Faculty of Advocates in 1824. His interest in art and antiquities, particularly the Italian masters, was strengthened during a tour on the Continent in 1825 and 1826.

After his father's death in 1834 he sold the family estate on the Clyde and purchased the farm of Dennistoun in Renfrewshire. In 1836 he left Scotland and spent the following 12 years primarily in Germany and Italy, pursuing research and collecting early Italian art, drawings and medieval antiquities. From 1847 on these were displayed in his Edinburgh home.

Dennistoun was a member of and contributor to the Maitland Club and the Bannatyne Club, editing several early texts for their publication series. The author of several works, he is perhaps best known for his Memoirs of the Duke of Urbino Illustrating the Arms Arts and Literature of Italy from 1440-1630 (1851), and Memoirs of Sir Robert Strange and Andrew Lumisden (1855). In 1853 he wrote an influential article for the Edinburgh Review criticizing the collecting policies of the National Gallery in London, and later that year appeared before the Select Committee on the National Gallery.

James Dennistoun died in Edinburgh on February 13, 1855. The greater portion of his collection was sold at Christie's & Manson's on June 14, 1855.

From the guide to the Dennistoun correspondence, 1785-1855, (Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Dennistoun correspondence, 1785-1855 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1842 Mar. 19, [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1838 Aug. 27, Via Condotti, Rome, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1847 Dec. 29, 113 George St [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1829 July 6, 1 Albyn Place, [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
referencedIn Riddell, John, 1785-1862. Letter: 1855 Dec. 24, 57 Melville Street, Edin [Edinburgh], to David Laing / John Riddell. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1837 May 13, Geneva, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1838 Dec. 3, 76 Via della Croce, Rome, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: [18--, Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
referencedIn Laing, David, 1793-1878. Letter: 1855 Mar. 5, Signet Library, [Edinburgh], to Isabella Dennistoun / David Laing. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1841 Nov. 20, 5 Forres Street [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1836 Sept. 11, Baden Baden, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1836 Feb. 12, Camus Eskan [Cardross, Dumbartonshire], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1837 Oct. 27, Milan, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1850 Apr. 13, 113 George Street [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
referencedIn Autograph File, D, 1586-1975. Houghton Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1851 Dec. 22, 119 George Street [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1847 Apr. 5, 133 George St [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1840 Jan 11, 5 Forres Street [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
referencedIn Dennistoun, Isabella, fl. 1855. Letter: 1855 Mar. 1, 119 George St [Edinburgh], to David Laing / Isabella Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1849 Mar. 8, Edin, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1849 Mar. 1, George Street [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1854 Nov. 20, [Edinburgh], to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1845 July 29, Via Melarancio 4566, Florence, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
creatorOf Dennistoun, James, 1803-1855. Letter: 1839 Oct. 27, Walkinshaw, Paisley, to David Laing / James Dennistoun. University of Edinburgh - Main Library, Edinburgh University Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bannatyne Club (Edinburgh, Scotland) corporateBody
associatedWith Calderwood (Family) family
associatedWith Calderwood, Thomas. person
associatedWith Dennistoun, Isabella, fl. 1855. person
associatedWith Dennistoun, Isabella Katharina Murray. person
associatedWith Hamilton, Gavin, 1723-1793. person
associatedWith James, II, King of England, 1633-1701. person
associatedWith Laing, David, 1793-1878. person
associatedWith Mure, William, Sir, 1594-1657. person
associatedWith Northesk, William Carnegie, Earl of, 1758-1831. person
associatedWith Polton, William Calderwood, Lord, 1660?-1733. person
associatedWith Riddell, John, 1785-1862. person
associatedWith Stewart, James, Sir, 1791-1863. person
associatedWith Stirling Maxwell, William, 1818-1878. person
associatedWith Strange, Robert, Sir, 1721-1792. person
associatedWith Urbino (Dukes of) family
Place Name Admin Code Country
Germany
Great Britain
Germany
Italy
Italy
Italy
Germany
Italy
Italy
Subject
Art
Art objects
Auctions
Book collecting
Engraving
Genealogy
Libraries
Manuscripts
Manuscripts
Portraits
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1803

Death 1855

Britons

English

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