Born in Arbroath, the third son of a weaving merchant, Patrick Allan (1813-1890) quickly rejected a commercial career in favour of artistic pursuit, studying first in Edinburgh, and then in Rome and Paris.He settled in London where he became a founder member of the influential artists' group, The Clique.

Returning briefly to execute a commission to illustrate Scott's Antiquary, he met, and shortly after married, in 1843, the highly talented young widow, Elizabeth Fraser-Baker, last of the Frasers of Hospitalfield, later adopting his wife's family name.

Fiercely self-reliant Patrick turned to estate management, quickly restored his wife's fortunes, re-designed Hospitalfield House and oversaw the building work using his own team of craftsmen. In such a way Hospitalfield developed into one of the finest and most highly crafted buildings produced during the 19th century in Scotland, and a prototype for the Scottish Arts & Crafts Movement.

Patrick Allan-Fraser built a number of fine structures on his expanded network of estates stretching from Arbroath into Perthshire. At the same time, he continued his heavy involvement with the art world, promoting international exchange as President of the British Academy of Art in Rome and as a patron and champion of both young and aged Scottish artists.

He was elected an HRSA in 1874.

'A champion of both young and aged Scottish Artists.'