FOULIS, ROBERT and ANDnEw, two eminent printers of Glasgow, brothers, whose names are usually classed together.—Robert, the elder, born in that city, April 20, 1707, was bred, and, like Allan Ibunsay, for some time practiced as a barber—in those days of flowing periwigs, a profitable and respectable profession. Havingattended for several years the lectures of the celebrated Dr. Francis Hutcheson, then professor of moral philosophy in Glasgow university, he was advised by that gentleman to become a book seller. In winter, be and his brother Andrew (horn`Nov. 23, 1712) employed themselves in teaching languages; and in summer, they made short excursions to the continent, and thereby acquired a considerable amount of learning and knowledge of the world. Andrew seems to have been designed for the church. In 1727, he mitered as a student at the university of Glasgow, where he is supposed to have undergone a regular course of study. About the end of 1739, Robert began business in Glasgow as a printer, his first publications being chiefly of a religious nature. In 1742, he published an elegant edition in 4to of Demetrius Pleakreus on Elocution, supposed to be the first Greek work printed in Glasgow. In 1743, he was appointed printer to the university. In 1744, he brought out his celebrated immaculate edition of Horace, 12mo, each printed sheet of which was hung up in the college of Glasgow, and a reward offered for the discovery of any inac curacy. Soon after he took his brother Andrew into partnership; and for thirty years they continued to bring out some of the finest specimens of correct and elegant printing, particularly in the Latin and Greek classics, which the 18th c. produced, either in this
country or on the continent. Among them were Cicero's works, in 20 volumes; Caesar's Commentaries, folio; Homer's works, 4 vols.; Ilerodotus, 0 vols., etc. ; also an edition of the Greek Testament; Gray's poems; Pope's works; a folio edition of Milton, and other publications in English. With the view of promoting the cultivation of the fine arts in Scotland, Robert Foulis, after a two years' visit to the continent in preparation, commenced, in 1733, an academy at Glasgow, for the instruction of youth in painting and sculpture. The great expense attending this institution led to the decline of the printing business, which, however, continued to be carried on till the death of Andrew, Sept. 18. 1775. In 1776, Robert exhibited and sold at Christie's, Pall Nall, London, the remainder of his paintings, when, after all expenses were defrayed, the balance in his favor amounted only to 15 shillings. He died the saint: year at Edinburgh. on his return to Scotland. He was twice married, and left several children. One of them was a printer in Glasgow as late as 1806. His Virgil, printed in 1778, and Ids Asehylus, 1705, for beauty and exactness, were not unworthy of the name of Foulis.