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Modern Athenians plate 42 - Edinburgh
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Modern Athenians plate 42 - Edinburgh
George Combe (1788-1858) phrenologist & natural philosopher, passing John Gray (1765-1850) solocitor, on the streets of Edinburgh
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Media ID 4409670
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10289548
1765 1788 1849 1850 1858 Athenians Combe Edinburgh Gray Philosopher Phrenologist
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, taken from Plate 42 of 'The Modern Athenians' series, depicts a pivotal moment in the history of Edinburgh's intellectual elite. The photograph captures George Combe (1788-1858), a renowned phrenologist and natural philosopher, engaged in a casual encounter with John Gray (1765-1850), a solicitor, on the bustling streets of Edinburgh in 1849. Combe, dressed in a tailored frock coat and top hat, is seen with a curious expression as he passes Gray, who is attired in formal Victorian attire. The photograph offers a glimpse into the everyday life of these influential figures, highlighting the interconnectedness of Edinburgh's intellectual community during this period. Phrenology, a popular pseudoscience of the time, held that the shape and size of the skull could be used to determine a person's intellectual and moral character. Combe was a leading proponent of this theory and had gained significant fame for his work in this field. Meanwhile, Gray, a respected solicitor, would have been a familiar face in the city's legal circles. The encounter between these two men, captured in this photograph, offers a fascinating insight into the social dynamics of Edinburgh's intellectual elite during the mid-19th century. This photograph, taken from the 'Modern Athenians' series, is an invaluable historical document that provides a unique perspective on the lives of these influential figures and the city they called home. The image offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to a time when Edinburgh was a hub of intellectual and scientific discovery.
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