The British Musical Biography

[E] Alston, John, educationist, was born at
Glasgow in 1777. He was a merchant and
magistrate of Glasgow, aud identified himself
with the Blind Asylum, of which he became
a director and honorary treasurer. In 1837
he published specimens of printing for the
blind in raised Koman type, and from that
date he issued a large number of books, chiefly
educational, for use among the blind. His two
works on music in raised type for the blind are
the earliest of the kind known to us. The first
was "Musical catechism, with tunes, for the
Wind." Glasgow [1838] ; and the second "A
selection of Scottish songs, embossed for the
use of the blind." Glasgow (printed in the
Asylum at the Institution Press), 1844. This
work is stated to be " the first book of songs,
set to music, printed in relief for the instruc-
tion of the blind." In 1843 a bust of Alston
from the chisel of James Pillans was unveiled
in the Glasgow Asylum for the blind, the in-
scription on which records the fact that he
printed the first bible " in raised letiers for
the use of the blind." He died at Glasgow,
August 20, 1846, after a career of usefulness
and distinction.

entry id: 9-L-29