The People of Irvine

Drawn by Irvine-born artist, Andrew Allan; this postcard was published by Millar and Lang Limited, Art Publishers of Glasgow.

This lithographic artist was born in Irvine's Halfway (now called Montgomery Street), famously also the thoroughfare on which another famous son, poet, journalist and social reformer, James Montgomery, also saw the first light of day. Allan trained at The Glasgow School of Art from 1882 until 1896. He is mainly remembered for his landscape studies, which work is highly regarded, The painting in the poster is called 'Thistledown' and is part of the Glasgow Museums Collection.

Promoting noteworthy people to have been born in Irvine, Scotland, is one of 7 projects which form Clyde Imagineering Volunteer Group's 'rising tide' programme for this Royal and ancient Scottish Burgh. 'clyde by your side', CIVG's community support team, are currently working with National and local partners on a series of projects with which to gain greater recognition for Irvine's daughters and sons (locally, nationally and internationally).

This poster promotes one of Irvine's most notable sons, James Montgomery. He became a poet (writing many lyrics for hymns), a journalist and newspaper proprietor and an active social reformer (twice jailed by the Government for promoting his views). He was so loved by the people of his adopted home of Sheffield that he was accorded the honour of a public funeral, a statue was erected of him , a fountain and a window in Sheffield Cathedral dedicated to his memory and several streets and public buildings in that city bear his name. He is best known for writing the words to the hymn, 'Angels from the Realms of Glory' (and beautiful words they are too): www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDWUY3Me1kA You can read more about his remarkable life here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Montgomery_(editor)

This is currently being used as a means by which to promote Clyde Imagineering's 6 year long biographical project.

Agnes Miller Parker was a prolific and talented illustrator and artist. Trained at The Glasgow School of Art and married to fellow student and artist William McCance; her principal medium was woodcut. She mastered this notoriously difficult method and produced hundreds of superb drawings, many of which are to be found in books such as those by Thomas Hardy and H.E. Bates. For more information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnes_Miller_Parker