• Was a Scottish painter and engraver.
• Born in Anstruther Easter.
• David Martin accompanied his art teacher,
Allan Ramsay on his tour of Italy in 1756–7.
• After returning became a student at the St Martin's Lane Academy in London.
• He joined Ramsay's studio in the 1760s as its principal draughtsman.
• Martin had his own studio by 1770.
• Martin painted over 300 portraits in his lifetime
• One of the earliest independent ones is that of Benjamin Franklin (now in the White House), painted in 1767.
• Martin exhibited at the Incorporated Society of Artists, at the Free Society of Artists and at the Royal Academy.
• He is listed in 1766 as a member of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, as "History Painter, living in Soho Square".
• In 1785, Martin was appointed principal painter in Scotland to the Prince of Wales.
• Martin died in 1797 at his home, 4 St James Square, Edinburgh.