A Hugh Paterson was commissioned in 1685 as Surgeon to the Earl of Arran's Irish Horse. It is possible that he and the subject of the portrait were the same person. The Earl of Arran was a Burgess and Guild Brother of the City and owned property in Edinburgh.
Paterson was married in 1690 and received a very substantial marriage settlement. He was well off because he could afford to maintain a very large house which, according to Hearth Tax returns, had six hearths. It was described as ‘a great tenement’ and was situated to the east side of Parliament Close.
He lectured on the muscles of the body at the first public anatomy demonstration in 1702 after the opening of the New Anatomical Theatre.
The 1697 Hall and Anatomy Theatre contained a library, a laboratory in the basement and a bath house. The bagnio was opened in 1704 and was advertised as a place where ‘all Noblemen, Gentlemen, Ladies and others may be conveniently sweated and bathed’ at a price per person of three pounds Scots.
In 1728, the Incorporation was incensed at Paterson's behaviour. The Minutes relate: ‘The Calling being Informed by their officer that Hew Paterson comes at Night and in a Masterful manner takes up his Quarters in their Hall and obliges him to give him Drink and Victuals, They in time comeing Discharge the Officer to allow the said Hew Paterson access to their Hall, nor to Bath nor Sweat in their Bagnio unless it be by special warrand and appointment of the Deacon’. Paterson must have been quite an old man at the time.
