Sir David Wilkie was born - On this day in Scottish history

Fife artist Sir David Wilkie was born on 18 November 1785. Wilkie showed an early aptitude for art and painted one of his most famous works 'Pitlessie Fair' at the age of nineteen. The painting included more than 140 figures, many of whom were based on Wilkie's sketches of family members and neighbours.

During his career, Wilkie made a name for himself due to the detail he employed in his paintings - something which particularly lent itself to the historic illustrations for which he became renowned. He was also a skilled portrait painter and produced a portrait of King George IV to commemorate his visit to Scotland in 1822. He also painted Queen Victoria Presiding at her First Council in 1838 and the famous Chelsea Pensioners Reading the Gazette of the Battle of Waterloo (1822).

QUICK LINK: Interview with Bob Marshall, creator of historical illustrations