The Smashers Club was a drawing club created in Edinburgh in 1848 by a small group of artists, almost all of whom went on to national fame and recognition. The founding members were

William Fettes Douglas Sir William Fettes Douglas (1822–1891) was a Scottish painter and art connoisseur, rising to be President of the Royal Scottish Academy. Life He was born on 12 March 1822 at 26 Rankeillor Street in Edinburgh's South Side, the eldest son o ...

William Crawford William, Bill, or Billy Crawford may refer to: Entertainment * William Broderick Crawford (1911–1986), American film actor * Bill Crawford (cartoonist) (1913–1982), American editorial cartoonist * William L. Crawford (1911–1984), American p ...

, Thomas Faed, John Faed, James Archer and John Ballantyne. As all members lived in the Second New Town or nearby

Comely Bank Comely Bank (; , IPA: �pɾuəxˈçɛnəɫ̪t̪ʰə is an area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It lies southwest of Royal Botanic Garden and is situated between Stockbridge and Craigleith. It is bound on its northernmost point by Carri ...

areas in Edinburgh, it is presumed they probably met in this area. Members refer to the club being akin to John Dowie's College, an affectionate name for a tavern in the

Old Town In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins. In some cases, newer developments on t ...

which had been demolished three decades earlier but which had a reputation as a meeting place for the artistic community. This implies they met in a bar, but is unclear which one. The club name implies a degree of alcohol consumption. In 1863, largely due to relocation of the members, the club removed to

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

and renamed itself the Auld Lang Syne Sketching Club: open to Scottish artists living in London. New members included Erskine Nicol, John Stirling, Andrew Maclure.

References

{{Authority control 1848 establishments in Scotland Clubs and societies in Edinburgh Organisations based in Edinburgh New Town, Edinburgh Organizations established in 1848