AITKEN, Robert (1734-1802) Scotish-American, Early American engraver, printer.
Born Dalkeith, Scotland, 1734.
Came to America and Philadelphia prior 1769.
He engraved some of the first engravings made in America.
David Rittenhouse approached him to do diesinking for
the early U.S. Mint – but Aitken wisely declined – perhaps
because modulated relief engraving of dies was that much
different from flat engraving of printing plates of his
proficiency.
Died Philadelphia 15 July 1802.
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
D8 {1926} Fielding, p 3.
BDAB{1946} Dictionary of American Biography, 1:1 p 131-132, by [R.C.S.] Ralph C. Smith.
D15 {1957} Groce and Wallace p 3.
E17 {1983} Pessolano-Filos, p 4.
D33 {1986} Opitz, p 8.
BANB{1999} American National Biography, p 1:199-200, by Vincent Freimarck.
D3a {2006} Benezit. Dictionary of Artists, 1:194.
Born Dalkeith, Scotland, 1734.
Came to America and Philadelphia prior 1769.
He engraved some of the first engravings made in America.
David Rittenhouse approached him to do diesinking for
the early U.S. Mint – but Aitken wisely declined – perhaps
because modulated relief engraving of dies was that much
different from flat engraving of printing plates of his
proficiency.
Died Philadelphia 15 July 1802.
B I O G R A P I C A L R E F E R E N C E S
D8 {1926} Fielding, p 3.
BDAB{1946} Dictionary of American Biography, 1:1 p 131-132, by [R.C.S.] Ralph C. Smith.
D15 {1957} Groce and Wallace p 3.
E17 {1983} Pessolano-Filos, p 4.
D33 {1986} Opitz, p 8.
BANB{1999} American National Biography, p 1:199-200, by Vincent Freimarck.
D3a {2006} Benezit. Dictionary of Artists, 1:194.