Contemplation (Unframed Print)

Kay produced hundreds of etchings, chiefly of Edinburgh characters and incidents. He depicted legal figures as well as various international worthies, military leaders and popular characters from Edinburgh life.

James Burnett, the subject of the drawing was born at Monboddo, Kincardineshire (Scotland) in October or November 1714 and died of a stroke in Edinburgh on 26 May 1799. He was initially educated at home by Dr Francis Skene, from whom he first imbibed the views of the ancients. He accompanied Skene to Marischal College, Aberdeen when Skene was elected to the chair of philosophy. He also attended Edinburgh University, and then studied law for three years at the University of Gröningen. He returned to Edinburgh and was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1737. In 1767 he succeeded Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton, as an ordinary lord of session, taking the title of Lord Monboddo. Monboddo was at once a respected judge and something of an eccentric. He was closely involved with the infamous 'Douglas case', and gained a considerable legal reputation from it. His reputation for eccentricity was in part fostered by his published philosophy, but it was aided and abetted by his character and habits.