, and in 1871 he founded
the Columbian Bank Note Company of Washington, D.C. He also made many
improvements in the manufacture of banknotes. Charles Burt (c.
1823-92), born in Edinburgh, died in Brooklyn, a pupil of William Home
Lizars of Edinburgh, did some fine plates and portraits for books and
for several years was one of the chief engravers for the Treasury
Department in Washington. Hezekiah Wright Smith, born in Edinburgh, in
1828, engraved portraits of Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, and his
head of Washington, after the Athenaeum head by Gilbert Stuart, is said
to be "the best engraving of this famous portrait ever made."
Nathaniel Orr (b. 1822), of Scottish ancestry, retired in 1888 "with
the reputation of having brought the art of wood engraving to the
highest perfection, and the signature 'Orr,' cut in the block was
always a sure guarantee of art excellence." Robert Shaw, born in
Delaware in 1859 of Scottish parentage, has made a reputation by his
etchings of famous historical buildings. His etching, the "Old Barley
Mill" ranks as one of the best etchings made in this country. A few
other Scottish engravers who produced good work were Robert Campbell,
William Charles (d. Philadelphia, 1820), Alexander L. Dick (1805),
W.H. Dougal (he dropped the "Mac" for some reason), Helen E. Lawson
(daughter of Alexander Lawson already mentioned), John Roberts
(1768-1803), William Main Smillie (1835-88), son of James Smillie
mentioned above, and William Wellstood (1819-1900).
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