JOHN KELSO HUNTER: (1802-1873), artist and cobbler, second son of one Hunter of Chirnside who removed to Ayrshire in 1799, and died there about 1810, was born at Dunkeith, Ayr shire, on Dec. 1802, and was for some time employed as a herdboy. He was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and on the expiration of his indentures settled at Kilmarnock in the pursuit of his calling. He afterwards taught himself portrait-painting, attained to a respectable position as an artist, and removed to Glasgow, where he was employed alternately as an artist, and a shoemaker. In 1847 he exhibited a portrait of himself as a cobbler at the Royal Academy London. In 1868 he published his first book, “The Retrospect of an Artist’s Life.” Hunter was known for his sturdy independence, and had a wide circle of friends. He died at Pollokshields, near Glasgow, on Feb. 3, 1873.
