Robert Burns: A Look at the Scottish Poet

Robert Burns, known also as the Bard of Scotland was born on the 25th of January 1759. His birthday is still celebrated in Scotland to this day in the form of Burns night, which takes place every year on his birthday. His poems are remembered, and people attending Burns nights, have Burns Suppers. This is usually the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, turnips, and potatoes.

He wrote his poetry in the traditional Scottish manner, using Scottish dialect. He is the most famous poet ever to be born in Alloway, South Ayrshire, in Scotland. He was born at home in a house originally built for his father. The house is now open for public viewing. In 1766 his father sold the house, and moved to a farm South East of Alloway. Robert Burns, or Rabbie Burns as he is also known had a very hard life on the farm. The hard labor had a tremendous toll on his body leaving him with his body stooping when he was supposed to be upright. Nelly Kilpatrick came to help Robert on the farm in 1774 and inspired him to write O, Once I Lov'd A Bonnie Lass his first poem.

Robert Burns was sent to Kirkoswald to continue his education. He met Peggy Thomson and wrote two songs for her, which were Now Westlin' Winds and I Dream'd I Lay. He married Elizabeth Paton in 1788, and she gave birth to 9 of Robert burns' children, but only three survived past the infant years. Burns was not a faithful man, while having an affair with a woman named Mary Campbell he dedicated two poems to her, they were The Highland Lassie O, Highland Mary and To Mary in Heaven. He planned to emigrate to Jamaica with Mary, and do bookkeeping there. However, those plans didn't work out as Mary died suddenly of a fever. The summer after she died was when Burns had his first collection of poems published.

His best poems were published in the Kilmarnock Volume, by a printer in the town in 1786. His work was very successful, and became well known all over the country after these publications. He lived in Edinburgh for a time after his work was published. He met some interesting people in the city, one of which was James Johnson who shared his love for Scottish music. He also met Jenny Clow who would give him his next born son. He made over 600 contributions to The Scots Musical Museum while he lived in Edinburgh, the last publication was in 1803.

He returned to Ayrshire continuing his relationship with Jean Armour. He had a farm there, but also trained and worked in Custom and Excise. Finally he gave up the farm in 1791. He still continued successfully writing poetry and songs, and had favorable offers coming from all directions. Robert Burns aged prematurely, and as a result of his rheumatic heart condition he died in 1796 at the age of 37. A memorial edition of his poetry was published in order to receive funds for his wife and children.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns