Portrait of Alexander Cumming

Framed oil portrait painting of Alexander Cumming (c.1731–1814), showing Cumming in later life. Attributed to Samuel Drummond ARS.

Cumming was born in Edinburgh but worked for most of his career in London. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Scotland, and was known for producing barometric recording clocks. He wrote ‘The Elements of Clock & Watch-work’ in 1761, and became an Honarary Freeman of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1781. He retired to Pentonville, where he died in 1814.