Tam O Shanter

Category

Library Item

Item no

17667

Title

Tam O Shanter

Description

Tam o' Shanter streaks over a stone bridge on his horse Meg (Maggie). His is wearing a bonnet, a tartan cloak and is waving a cudgel in the air. A witch with a pointed hat is holding on to the horse's tail, the animal's face is horror stricken.

Artist / maker

Cooper, Abraham

Engraver

J Rogers

Date

1840

Size

13.2 x 17 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image is an illustration of a poem written by Robert Burns.

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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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

People > Adults > Men

People > Entertainment and sports > Poets

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

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