Robert Burns was a poet who was born January 25, 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. He is known as the Bard of Ayrshire, the Ploughman Poet, Rabbie, and Scotch Bard. He is also considered to be Scotland’s National Poet.
Background
Burns was born to parents Agnes Brown and Robert Burnes. The family name was Burnes, but young Robert liked the “Burns” spelling better. His parents were poor and unable to vote. He was the oldest of seven children. Although he was denied a formal education, he always carried a book with him.
As Burns grew up, he came to learn and appreciate that his ancestors tended to take the side of the rebels. He accepted but resented the moral traditions of the Kirk (Scottish church). Burns was baptized into the Church of Scotland on January 26, 1759.
Before he was a poet, he was a tenant farmer, then a tax collector. Throughout his life, he struggled with physical and mental illness and was involved in love affairs, marriage, and adultery. He founded the “Bachelor’s Club,” where men got together and discussed and debated topics. Burns debated being a playwright, but it never came to be.
Poetry
He was inspired by the poetry of Allan Ramsay and Robert Fergusson. Sent poems with letters and correspondence. Burns first dabbled with poetry was in his early schooldays. As a poet, Burns was a founder of the Romantic Movement. Some topics and themes he wrote about include sex, drinking, smoking, and radical political argument. His poetry embraced cultural nationalism to celebrate Scotland as well as commentary and satire on religious topics.
Burns’ poetry gave him access to people and places he wouldn’t otherwise have access to. He earned money from subscriptions from patrons. He used both English and Scots in his poetry. His favorite that he wrote: “The Cotter’s Saturday Night.” Although Burns was Scottish, America is the first nation mentioned in his poems. His poetry is composed orally and in his head before putting words on paper.
Burns has become the world’s most popular love poet and is considered to be the first English-speaking Romantic poet. He is the first modern writer to be hailed a national bard and was the first English-speaking poet to be treated as a national celebrity. He was the first Romantic poet to write about America. His poetry gave voice to the voiceless
Burns was known for his songs, and his first and last works were songs. He grew up learning songs. He contributed 330 songs to Johnson’s “The Scots Musical Museum,” and traveled around Scotland to collect songs. He did his best song work at Ellisland.
Romantic Life
Even before he was born, the midwife predicted at his birth that he would be “attracted to the lasses.” Throughout his life, he cared much for self-presentation and fitting the expectations of those reading his work. Burns married Jean Armour in 1788, with whom he had a couple of children. However, he was involved in affairs outside of marriage.
Personal life
In his free time, Burns was a member of the Freemasons and was an avid reader of books and newspapers. Many of his ideals were given to Burns by the Kirk and the Freemasons.
People had mixed views of Burns. Some positive views include the fact that he was seen as an ideal person and a model Scotsman. He was seen as relatable and was a talented poet.
However, some people had negative views, especially due to his political, social, and sexual stances. People looked unfavorably on his immoral relations with women as well as his drinking. Politically, Burns was liberal and sympathized with revolutionaries during the American Revolution. He was known for his resistance to authority
Death and legacy
Burns died at 5 a.m. on July 21, 1796, at the end of 37.His funeral was pompous but well-intended. His body was moved to the Midsteeple courthouse, and uniformed soldiers lined the streets to the church. He was buried in St. Michael’s mausoleum
Burns was remembered as someone who was charismatic, kind, knowledgeable, and quick-tempered. It was said that his conversation was more fascinating than his poetry (convo is powerful, ardent, and irritable). It is also said that he was demanding and difficult to live with.
His poetry was admired by Maya Angelou and influenced great poets. There are Statues of Burns worldwide, and there are more statues of Burns in the United States than of any American poet. Burns Clubs have been established worldwide.
The portrait of Burns by Alexander Nasmyth, which s the most iconic images of Burns, is located in Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The image features Burns sitting outside an imaginary room, implying that he is one with nature. A castle and a mountain can be seen in the background.
Pilgrimages to Burns sites, including Mauchline, which is a “Mecca and Medina” for Burns fans. Ships, horses, coaches, and more have been named after him.
Burns Night
The first Burns Night supper was held in July of 1801. 9 friends gathered at the Burns cottage in Alloway to mark Burns’ death. They shared a meal of haggis and sheep’s head
Men’s Dress Code
•Kilt: dress tartan or regular tartan
•Dress shirt with shirt studs, French or barrel cuffs, and a turndown collar
•Bowtie, plain or matching tartan
•Prince Charlie jacket
•Dress sporran with a silver chain
•Evening dress brogues
•Garter socks: matching tartan or plain with silk flashes
•Black, silver-mounted sgian-dubh
Women’s Dress Code
•Full tartan skirt: clan, universal, or match partner’s
•Neutral blouse
•Matching tartan sash
•Clan brooch to hold sash in place
The night begins with the recitation of the Selkirk Grace, after which the haggis is brought in while bagpipes play. Then, the host recites “Address to a Haggis.” Dinner is served, featuring haggis, neeps (turnips), tatties (potatoes), dessert, and whisky.
Following dinner, guests perform “Immortal Memory,” “Toast to the Lassies,” and “Reply to the Toast,” and then other favorite poems are recited. At the end of the festivities, attendees stand in a circle to sing “Auld Lang Syne.”
Related Articles:
-Book Review: "The Bard" by Robert Crawford: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/04/book-review-bard-by-robert-crawford.html
-My First Burns Night: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/01/my-first-burns-night.html
-Book Review: “Burning Pages” by Paige Shelton: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/07/book-review-burning-pages-paige-shelton.html