The Life of Robert Thorburn Born in Dumfries in March 1818, Robert Thorburn was the son of a tradesman. After receiving his early education at Dumfries High School, he moved to Edinburgh at age fifteen to study drawing at the Academy, where he made rapid progress. He later moved to London to enter the classes of the Royal Academy. As a native of Dumfries, he enjoyed the patronage of the Duke of Buccleuch, which provided him with many c…