Explore: George Heriot

(1759 - 1839)

George Heriot was born in Haddington, East Lothian. He was educated at Edinburgh High School and University, before becoming a cadet at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, at the time Paul Sandby was Drawing Master. Heriot later became a civil servant. In 1797, he exhibited three works at the Royal Academy, including two views of Canada. From 1799 to 1816 he was Deputy Postmaster General of Canada. During this time he travelled through Quebec and Ontario, and his views of Canada were published as ‘Travels Through the Canadas’ (1807). He returned to England in 1816 and later travelled on the Continent, visiting Salzburg, Spain, France and the Channel Islands. The resulting watercolours were published as ‘A Picturesque Tour’ in 1824.