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Artist and manufacturer in Montreal, Quebec. Robert Cruickshank was the son of Rev. George Cruickshank of Aberbrothock in Northern Britain. He apprenticed to Alexander Johnston of London in 1759. He emigrated to Boston where he lived from 1767 to 1773. He was listed as a plate worker from 1766-74. He is listed as making silver in 1768 by a Williamsburg silversmith J. Craig. Being a loyalist, he fled to Montreal at the onset of the American revolution and worked as a silversmith there. Items made by him are apparently marked with R.C in a conforming cartouche. Known to be working 1773-1809 in Montreal, but Hamilton cites 1759 as the first known working date. Robert Cruickshank conducted a large hardware business in Montreal, as well as a silver manufacturing operation. The latter produced a vast output of trade silver, large quantities supplying the Northwest Company (ref. Alberts, page 15). Cruickshank formed a number of business partnerships and employed many apprentices.

Died: 1809