Robert Burns. Robert Burns

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, Scottish poet and writer of traditional Scottish folk songs was born in Alloway, south-western Scotland, on the 25^th of January, 1759. He was the eldest of seven children born to William Burns, a struggling tenant farmer. Burns spent his youth in hard work and poverty. He had only a few years of schooling, but was an avid reader, especially of Shakespeare and Robert Fergusson, the talented Scottish poet.

Burns began writing poetry at the age of fifteen, but he was twenty-seven when his first book – “Poems Chiefly in Scottish Dialect” – was published in 1786. And it was a great success. The sources of Burns’ poetry are the life of common people and Scottish folklore. A sense of liberty and patriotic feelings are the animating force of his genius.

But the name of Robert Burns is still alive. For Scotsmen Robert Burns is a symbol of national pride. Every year on January 25 (on his birthday) Burns Night is celebrated not only in Scotland but throughout Britain. The celebration is usually held in the form of supper (called, of course, Burns Supper) at which haggis is served and eaten during which Scottish pipers play, Burns’ poems are recited and there may be Scottish dancing after meal.

Robert Burns

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