Known for being a palaeontologist, Ramsay Traquair was born at the Manse of Rhynd in Perthshire in 1840. After education at the University of Edinburgh he graduated a MD in 1862. Appointed as a Demonstrator at that university, he undertook that role for 3 years. He then performed similar posts at Cirencester and then Dublin. In 1873 Ramsay Traquair became Keeper of Natural History at the then Royal Scottish Museum of Edinburgh – staying in post for 33 years until retirement. He published widely on fossil fishes especially those of the Paleozoic Era. Of note is his work on the Old Red Sandstone Fish Faunas of Scotland. Ramsay Traquair was married to the enamellist Phoebe Traquair. He died in 1912.
