Robert Burns - Poet - Capital Collections

Category

Library Item

Item no

17621

Title

Robert Burns - Poet

Description

The portrait of Robert Burns is displayed in an oval frame. He is looking to the right and is wearing a white cravat, waistcoat and coat. A cloth is draped over part of the frame at the base of which lie several symbolic objects including a harp; scythe; rake; horn; and manuscripts. A circular plaque with the coat of arms of Robert Burns as lies on the manuscripts with the motto "Better a wee bush than nae bield". Under the image of Burns is a reproduction of his signature and the dates "Born January 1759 Died July 1796".

Artist / maker

Nasmyth, Alexander

Engraver

Rogers

Date

1839

Size

27.2 x 19.5cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Robert Burns is Scotland's national poet. He was born on the 25th January 1759 in Alloway, Ayrshire. He was the son of a tenant farmer and was brought up working the land, but like many sons of Scottish farmers received a good education.
In 1786 he published a volume of his poetry called Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. The book was an immediate success and was the start of his transformation into a national hero. He continued to write poetry and songs until he died on the 21st July 1796 aged just 37. Every year, on the anniversary of his birth, thousands of Scots at home and abroad gather together to celebrate the poet's life and works by holding Burns Suppers.

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