Allan Newton Scott (1824-1870) was born at Forfar, the 10th child of James Scott, a merchant, and Isabella Wylie. He was baptised in Forfar on 30th April 1824 and later educated at Mr Bristow's, Hitchin and Addiscombe. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Madras Artillery in 1840 and was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1842, Brevet Captain in June 1855, Captain in June 1856, Lieutenant Colonel in March 1864 and finally a Brevet Colonel in 1866, in which year he retired. Scott was a keen amateur photographer and, as a member of the Madras Photographic Society, in 1860 exhibited 54 stereogrames. These won 1st prize and were adjudged 'unquestionably the best collection of stereogrames that has yet been produced in Madras'. These views undoubtedly appear in this volume. Scott married Maria A.E.B. (1843-1880) and had three children: Catherine Maria (b. 1861), Allan (b. 1864) and Blanche Mary (1869-1932). He died in London in 1870.