Leslie Stephen

“ The 'Grave' was reissued in 1813, with lives of Cromek and Schiavonetti. Cromek's widow finally made a large sum by publishing the print after Stothard, which was completed by other engravers. Cunningham tells a story of Cromek's appropriation of an autograph letter of Ben Jonson belonging to Scott. Cromek was a shifty speculator, who incurred the odium attaching to men of business who try to make money by the help of men of genius. The fact that he ruined himself in the attempt has not procured him pardon. ”

“ He engraved some of Stothard's pictures, and made acquaintance with William Blake. He bought Blake's drawings in illustration of Blair's 'Grave' for twenty guineas (about the usual price according to Cunningham) , and in 1808 published an edition of the poem with etchings after Blake by Schiavonetti. Blake expected to be employed upon the engraving himself, and was aggrieved by the transference of the work to Schiavonetti. Cromek obtained a large number of subscribers without any benefit to Blake. In 1808 Cromek visited Scotland to collect information about Burns. ”