Early Life and Education Charles Shirreff, a remarkable figure in the history of British art, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, sometime around 1749 or 1750. His early life was marked by a profound challenge: at the age of three or four, he lost his hearing and ability to speak – a condition that profoundly shaped his artistic journey. His father, Alexander Shirreff, a prosperous wine merchant residing in South Leith, recognized the b…