In 1822, the school's founders, Henry Cockburn and Leonard Horner, agreed that Edinburgh required a new school to promote classical learning. Edinburgh's Royal High School provided a classical education, but the founders felt that greater provision was needed for the teaching of Greek, to compete with some of England's public schools. Cockburn and Horner recruited John Russell as a co-founder and the three of them, together with other interested parties, put a proposal to the City Council for the building of a new school. The City Fathers gave their approval in 1823 and fifteen committee members were elected.
In 1822 the school's founders Henry Cockburn and Leonard Horner agreed that Edinburgh required a new school to promote classical learning Edinburgh's Royal High School provided a classical education but the founders felt that greater provision was needed for the teaching of Greek to compete with some of England's public schools Cockburn and Horner recruited John Russell as a co-founder and the three of them together with other interested parties put a proposal to the City Council for the building of a new school The City Fathers gave their approval in 1823 and fifteen committee members were elected