Cotmania. Vol. V. 1929-30

(1) Rokeby Park was then owned by John Bacon Sawrey Morritt, the son of J. S. Morritt, who bought Rokeby in 1769 & died in 1791.
J. B. S. Morritt was born in 1771 — B.A. St John's Coll[ege] Camb[ridge] 1794 — one of the earliest & most extensive Greek travellers of his time. He spent 2 years in the East * [note added in margin: He engaged a Viennese draughtsman to accompany him to Greece] & returned with his mind replete with classical information & a taste for every liberal art. His friendship with Sir Walter Scott began in 1808.
Lockhart, in his Life of Scott, Vol 2, p 179, describes Morritt 'as one of the most accomplished men who ever shared Scott's confidence'.
Scott, after spending a fortnight at Rokeby, wrote to George Ellis on July 9 1809 — "We lingered a little while at Rokeby Park, the seat of our friend Morritt, one of the most enviable places I have ever seen." 'Rokeby' was published Jan 7 1813. Morritt offered to help Scott in his money difficulties later in the same year. Morritt died in 1843.
(2) Professor John Playfair (1748-1819) mathematician & geologist.