David Allay, a Scottish painter and engraver, born at Alloa, in Clackmannanshire, Feb. 13, 1744, died in Edinburgh, Aug. 6, 1796.

In 1755 he entered as an apprentice the art academy of Robert Foulis in Glasgow, and in 1764 went to Rome, where in 1773 he obtained from the academy of St. Luke the gold medal for the best historical drawing. His earliest humorous productions were four sketches of the carnival at Rome. He settled in Edinburgh; and in 1786, after the death of Runciman, he was appointed master of the academy of arts. About the same time he commenced 12 illustrations of Allan Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd," which he subsequently engraved in aquatint. He also made some designs from the lyrics of Burns.