Don Pottinger
Encyclopedia
John Inglis Drever Pottinger (1919–1986) was a Scottish
officer of arms
and heraldic
author. He is best remembered for the publication, with Sir Iain Moncreiffe
, of Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated.
, Angus
in 1919. He was the second son of Reverend William Pottinger and was known as Don from childhood because he was unable to pronounce his given name properly. Pottinger was educated in Edinburgh
and planned to go to art college there when World War II
began in 1939. He served in the army throughout North Africa and Italy
and ended his service in Palestine in 1946. During the war years, Pottinger took time off to marry Fay Keeling. When he left the army, he returned to his art studies in Edinburgh
. In 1947, he won the Chalmer's Prize from the Royal Scottish Academy
. He went on to complete an MA
in Fine Arts in 1951.
during the 1950s. In 1949, Pottinger was commissioned to paint the official portrait of Lord Lyon King of Arms
, Sir Thomas Innes of Learney
. During the sittings for the portrait, Pottinger was delighted by his conversations with Learney regarding the art of heraldry. This led to an appointment as a part time herald painter at the Court of Lord Lyon King of Arms
. Another result of this commission was Pottingers meeting and collaboration with Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
, on the 1953 book Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated. This book was a best-seller and was reprinted three times within the first year. No small part of the success were the "cheerful" illustrations of Pottinger.
In the same year, Pottinger was appointed Falkland Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary
. This was followed in 1958 by an appointment as Linlithgow Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary
in 1958, Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
in 1961, and Islay Herald of Arms in Ordinary
in 1981. Also in 1981, Pottinger was appointed Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records
at Lyon Court. Throughout his heraldic career, Pottinger continued to paint portraits and other works for a variety of clients.
Don and Fay Pottinger lived in New Town, Edinburgh
. Pottinger also continued as Islay and Lyon Clerk until his death in 1986.
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Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
officer of arms
Officer of arms
An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:*to control and initiate armorial matters*to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state...
and heraldic
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
author. He is best remembered for the publication, with Sir Iain Moncreiffe
Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
Sir Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet, CVO, QC was a British officer of arms and genealogist. He used various forms of his name: His columns for Books and Bookmen wete signed Iain Moncreiffe; Royal Highness is by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Bt.; Simple Heraldry is by...
, of Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated.
Early life
Pottinger was born at CarnoustieCarnoustie
Carnoustie is a town and former police burgh in the council area of Angus, Scotland. It is situated at the mouth of the Barry Burn on the North Sea coast...
, Angus
Angus
Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City...
in 1919. He was the second son of Reverend William Pottinger and was known as Don from childhood because he was unable to pronounce his given name properly. Pottinger was educated in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and planned to go to art college there when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began in 1939. He served in the army throughout North Africa and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and ended his service in Palestine in 1946. During the war years, Pottinger took time off to marry Fay Keeling. When he left the army, he returned to his art studies in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. In 1947, he won the Chalmer's Prize from the Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy is a Scottish organisation that promotes contemporary Scottish art. Founded in 1826, as the Royal Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, the RSA maintains a unique position in Scotland as an independently funded institution led by eminent artists and...
. He went on to complete an MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
in Fine Arts in 1951.
Heraldic career
This led to a career in portrait painting, and Pottinger painted many of the most prominent people in ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
during the 1950s. In 1949, Pottinger was commissioned to paint the official portrait of Lord Lyon King of Arms
Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest...
, Sir Thomas Innes of Learney
Thomas Innes of Learney
Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, GCVO, WS was Lord Lyon from 1945 to 1969, after having been Carrick Pursuivant and Albany Herald in the 1930s. He was a very active Lord Lyon, strongly promoting his views of what his office was through his writings and pronouncements in his Court. In 1950, he...
. During the sittings for the portrait, Pottinger was delighted by his conversations with Learney regarding the art of heraldry. This led to an appointment as a part time herald painter at the Court of Lord Lyon King of Arms
Court of the Lord Lyon
The Court of the Lord Lyon, also known as the Lyon Court, is a standing court of law which regulates heraldry in Scotland. Like the College of Arms in England it maintains the register of grants of arms, known as the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, as well as records of...
. Another result of this commission was Pottingers meeting and collaboration with Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
Sir Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet, CVO, QC was a British officer of arms and genealogist. He used various forms of his name: His columns for Books and Bookmen wete signed Iain Moncreiffe; Royal Highness is by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Bt.; Simple Heraldry is by...
, on the 1953 book Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated. This book was a best-seller and was reprinted three times within the first year. No small part of the success were the "cheerful" illustrations of Pottinger.
In the same year, Pottinger was appointed Falkland Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary
Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary
Falkland Pursuivant of Arms was a Scottish pursuivant of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The title was first mentioned in 1493 and it is derived from the Royal Palace of the same name located in Fife...
. This was followed in 1958 by an appointment as Linlithgow Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary
Linlithgow Pursuivant Extraordinary
Linlithgow Pursuivant of Arms was a Scottish pursuivant of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.This title is locative in origin, and is derived from the name of a royal burgh of Linlithgow and palace of the same name...
in 1958, Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary
Unicorn Pursuivant
Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a current Scottish pursuivant of arms in Ordinary of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The title was created after 1381, and derived from the unicorn...
in 1961, and Islay Herald of Arms in Ordinary
Islay Herald
Islay Herald of Arms Extraordinary is a current Scottish herald of arms Extraordinary of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The office was first mentioned in 1493. Islay is an island off the west coast of Scotland and was the headquarters of the Lord of the Isles...
in 1981. Also in 1981, Pottinger was appointed Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records
Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records
Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records is an heraldic office in Scotland. The holder of this office is appointed by the Crown, and like the Lord Lyon King of Arms receives an annual salary...
at Lyon Court. Throughout his heraldic career, Pottinger continued to paint portraits and other works for a variety of clients.
Don and Fay Pottinger lived in New Town, Edinburgh
New Town, Edinburgh
The New Town is a central area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is often considered to be a masterpiece of city planning, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site...
. Pottinger also continued as Islay and Lyon Clerk until his death in 1986.
Source
- Ilay Campbell. "Three Bookplates by Don Pottinger." The Double Tressure. 2002, No 25, 72-6.
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