Death and Doctor Hornbook

Category

Library Item

Item no

17641

Title

Death and Doctor Hornbook

Description

A man, wearing a Scottish tartan bonnet, sits on a rock holding a cane talking to Death. Death is portrayed as a very thin man wearing a loose robe. He is carrying a scythe and a trident. They are seated in a rocky landscape.

Artist / maker

Wright, J M

Engraver

J Rogers

Date

1839

Size

13.5 x 17 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image is an illustration of a poem written by Robert Burns. View the text of Death and Doctor Hornbook

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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Agriculture and fisheries > Equipment > Scythe

Landscape > Land > Rock formations

People > Entertainment and sports > Poets

People > Health and safety > Doctors