Traditional view Greyfriars Bobby

albumen print (c. 1865) thought of greyfriars bobby

the best-known version of story bobby belonged john gray, worked edinburgh city police nightwatchman. when john gray died buried in greyfriars kirkyard, graveyard surrounding greyfriars kirk in old town of edinburgh. bobby became known locally, spending rest of life sitting on master s grave.

in 1867 lord provost of edinburgh, sir william chambers, director of scottish society prevention of cruelty animals, paid bobby s licence , gave dog collar, in museum of edinburgh.

bobby said have sat grave 14 years. died in 1872 , buried inside gate of greyfriars kirkyard, not far john gray s grave.

greyfriars kirkyard

a year later, english philanthropist lady burdett-coutts charmed story , had drinking fountain topped bobby s statue (commissioned sculptor william brodie) erected @ junction of george iv bridge , candlemaker row (opposite entrance churchyard) commemorate him.

several books , films have since been based on bobby s life, including novel greyfriars bobby (1912) eleanor atkinson , films greyfriars bobby (1961) , adventures of greyfriars bobby (2006).