ALLAN, DAVID (1744-1796), Scottish historical painter, was born at Alloa. On leaving Foulis's academy of painting at Glasgow (1762) Lord Cathcart and Erskine of Mar furnished him with the means of proceeding to Rome (1764), where he remained for a number of years. Returning from Rome in 1777, he lived for a time in London. In 1 7 8o he removed to Edinburgh, where he was appointed director and master of the Academy of Arts. There he painted and etched in aquatint a variety of works, those by which he is best known—as the "Scotch Wedding," the "Highland Dance," the "Repentance Stool," and his "Illustrations of the Gentle Shepherd"—all being remarkable for their comic humour. Allan died at Edinburgh on Aug. 6, 1796.