UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Dr William Gemmell Early Views of Glasgow Chiefly from the Foulis Academy 1913

Title-page.

William Gemmell was a member of the Glasgow Archaeological Society and the Glasgow Antiquity Society, and also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His book The Oldest House in Glasgow, 1910, established the antiquity of the city’s famous Provand’s Lordship. This publication, which provides a history of the Foulis Academy, was published to coincide with the major Foulis exhibition which was organised by the Glasgow Bibliographical Society in 1913. It contains facsimile prints of works made by pupils at the Academy, and by other artists including John Slezer.

Robert Paul ‘A View taken from North of the Cathedral Church of Glasgow’, facsimile of an engraving

Robert Paul was one of the Foulis Academy’s most talented pupils and he produced and important series of views in and around Glasgow which record many of its famous buildings and landmarks. In this work, the hill which was densely planted with fir trees became known as ‘Fir Park’. It subsequently was developed to become the Necropolis burial ground.

Robert Paul ‘A View of Glasgow from the South west’, 1764, facsimile of an engraving

The structure on the left of the south bank of the river is the famous windmill. On the opposite side can be seen a building with a crane for lifting goods from the boats. The wooded area is the Old Green, and to its right is the Town Hospital and Dreghorn Mansion.

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