an eminent bookseller and publisher, was born Feb. 24th, 1774, at Kellie, in Fifeshire, where his father was land-steward on the estate of the Earl of Kellie. He received the usual branches of education at the parish school of Carnbee; and in 1788 was apprenticed to Mr Peter Hill, bookseller in Edinburgh. After the expiry of his apprenticeship he married the daughter of Mr Willison, a respectable printer; and established himself as a bookseller in a small shop in the High Street, to which his sale catalogues of curious and rare books soon attracted all the bibliographers and lovers of learning in the city.
In 1801 he became the proprietor of the Farmer's Magazine, and also of the Scots Magazine—a miscellany which, under the editorial superintendence of Dr John Leyden and the Rev. Dr Alexander Murray, attained a considerable reputation. Constable is, however, chiefly known from his connection with the Edinburgh Review; the first number of which was published by him in October 1802. However much his sagacity may have tended to guide its proprietors in the carrying out of their design, it is certain that he himself was not the author of the project, and was rather startled at the boldness of the scheme when first propounded to him.
His reputation as a publisher was greatly enhanced by his connection with the novels of Sir Walter Scott, the first of which appeared in 1805. For some of these tales Mr Constable had the merit of occasionally suggesting subjects and finding titles. He was also the proprietor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, and published a supplement to one of its earlier editions. In 1826, whilst busily engaged in the publication of the Miscellany which bears his name, Mr Constable became bankrupt; and a sudden illness shortly afterwards brought him to the grave, July 21, 1827.
Constable, John, (1776–1837), an eminent English landscape painter, was born near Woodbridge, Suffolk, where his father was a miller. By his parents he was destined for the church, but being averse to study, he was apprenticed to his father's trade. His passion for painting, however, led him quickly to abandon this employment; and in 1799 he Constance, was admitted a student at the Royal Academy, London. He first appeared as an exhibitor in 1802; and in 1829 he was elected an academician.
Like all painters who have attained eminence in their art, Constable delighted in the contemplation of nature; and in his compositions he laboured to give a faithful transcript of its simplicity and beauty. Before sketching from nature, he used to remark, he first tried to forget that he had ever seen a picture. His picture of the Corn Field, in the National Gallery, is a good specimen of his style and abilities.