The Edington family of North Berwick flourished for several generations as grocers and spirit merchants, benefiting from the growth in popularity of North Berwick as a holiday resort. They took an active part in the town's affairs and the town's hospital carries their name.

This is oil painting on canvas is by an unknown artist. The subject is a young man, a member of the Edington family of North Berwick. He is shown in head and shoulders view, well dressed and clean shaven, but with bushy sidewhiskers.

Only middle and upper class families had the means to commission family likenesses, often from itinerant portrait painters. This practice was overtaken by the development of photography around the time this portrait was made.