James Rannie Swinton (11 April 1816 – 18 December 1888) was a nineteenth-century Scottish portrait artist.
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Early life and family
Born into Clan Swinton in Berwickshire on 11 April 1816, James Rannie Swinton was the younger son of John Campbell Swinton of Kimmerghame, Berwickshire, WS, and Catherine Rannie, his wife, and grandson of Archibald, fourth son of John Swinton of Swinton, Berwickshire.
His elder brother, Archibald Campbell Swinton, four years his senior, pursued a career in law and politics, but sisters, Catherine and Elizabeth, shared his interest in art.
Education and early career
Like his brother, James was intended for the legal profession, but, having a strong taste for art, he was allowed in 1838 to adopt the profession of an artist. At Edinburgh Sir William Allan and Sir John Watson-Gordon gave him much encouragement, and in the latter's studio he was allowed to work. He studied at the Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh, and his first essays in portraiture were made in January 1839. In April of that year he went to London, where he was welcomed by Sir David Wilkie and (Sir) Francis Grant (1803–1878).