Rabbie Burns
b. Jan 25, 1759
d. July 21, 1796

The Poet - Rabbie Burns

Robert Burns, or Rabbie as he was known, was the son of a farmer, born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in the southwest of Scotland on January 25, 1759. He worked at several trades prior to turning to publishing his poetry as a source of income: first as a farmer which damaged his health and then as a flax weaver. He failed at both. He began writing poetry in 1784 and his first collection of poems (The Kilmarnock edition, named for the city of publication) was published in 1786. In 1788, he began working as a tax collector while continuing to write poetry and eventually collect, revise, and write folk songs. He married Jean Armour, the mother of his illegitimate child, and eventually died on July 21, 1796, aged 37.

He is famous for his poetry and his songs, some of which are: Auld Lang Syne; Comin’ Thro the Rye; Sweet Afton; Scots Wha Hae; Green Grow the Rashes; and A Red, Red, Rose which are all songs as well. In addition there is The Selkirk Grace - a grace before meals and Address to a Haggis, both of which are used at Burns Suppers - Burns Night celebrations held around the anniversary of his birth in Scottish communities worldwide.