Robert Burns' Early Life and First Poems
Robert Burns came from a poor background. Born in the Ayrshire village of Alloway, his father was a tenant farmer. Burns was the oldest of seven children and therefore, when his father died in 1784, responsibility for running the family farm passed to him and another brother. Although money was tight Burns’ father had provided him with a good education, employing the services of John Murdoch as a private tutor.
It didn’t take long for Burns to decide that a life of manual labour was not for him. Instead, he planned to emigrate to the West Indies and start a new life there. He had penned his first poem, “My Handsome Nell”, at the age of 15 and went on to publish his first collection, “Poems – Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect – Kilmarnock Edition”. The book was well received in literary circles and Burns abandoned his plans to move abroad.
Burns Moves to Edinburgh, Ellisland and Dumfries
Burns did move from Ayrshire, however. After a tour of Scotland he found accommodation in Edinburgh, an important cultural centre. He married Jean Amour, who bore him several children. Their final child, Maxwell, was born on the same day that Burns died. He was very popular with the gentler sex and enjoyed relationships with a succession of women throughout his life. Although Burns’ works are much treasured today, the poet did not rely solely on income from his poetry to support his family. In addition to writing Burns also found work as an exciseman.
Following his stay in Edinburgh Burns embarked on an unsuccessful business venture, buying a farm at Ellisland near Dumfries. After struggling to grow crops for many months he left in 1791 and moved to Dumfries. It was towards the end of his life that Burns wrote some of his best loved works, including, “Tam O’Shanter”. By the time he passed away on 21st July, 1796, of heart disease, Burns was a well-known public figure. This was reflected at his funeral, with over 10,000 people turning out to pay their respects.
A few years after his death a group of Burns’ friends held a supper in his memory in Alloway, on his birthday. The idea grew and, today, Burns suppers are held all over the world on or around the 25th January each year. Burns societies have been established in many countries, including America, to keep alive the memory of the Scottish bard.
Robert Burns 250th Anniversary Celebrations
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