Robert Burns

by John Campbell Shairp

Overview

Principal Shairp's "Robert Burns" offers a compelling exploration of the life and work of Scotland's most celebrated poet. This biography delves into Burns's enduring impact on Scottish literature and culture, examining his poetry through the lens of 18th-century Scotland. Shairp provides critical insights into Burns's verses, revealing the depth and artistry behind the iconic poems that have resonated with readers for centuries.

More than just a literary analysis, this volume offers a glimpse into the heart of a nation through the words of one of its most beloved figures. Exploring themes of identity, nature, and human experience, Burns's work continues to captivate and inspire. This meticulously prepared edition offers readers an opportunity to connect with the rich literary heritage of Scotland and appreciate the genius of Robert Burns.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023131414
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/28/2025
Pages:	138
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.30(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER III BORDER AND HIGHLAND TOURS. Some small instalments of the profits of his new volurn.8 enabled our Poet, during the summer and autumn of 1787, to make several tours to various districts of Scotland, famous either for scenery or song. The day of regular touring had not yet set in, and few Scots at that time would have thought of visiting what Burns called the classic scenes of their country. A generation before this, poets in England had led the way in this as when Gray visited the lakes of Cumberland, and Dr. Johnson the Highlands and the Western Isles. In his ardour to look upon places famous for their natural beauty or their historic associations, or even for their having been mentioned in some old Scottish song, Burns surpassed both Gray and Johnson, and anticipated the sentiment of the present century. Early in May he set out with one of his Crochallan club acquaintances, named Ainslie, on a journey to the Border. Ainslie was a native of the Merse, his father and family living in Dunse. Starting thence with Ainslie, Burns traversed the greater part of the vale of Tweed from Coldstream to Peebles, recalling, as he went along, snatches of song connected with the places he passed. He turned aside to see the valley of the Jed, and got as far as Selkirk in the hope of looking uponYarrow. But from doing this he was hindered by a day of unceasing rain, and he who was so soon to become the chief singer of Scottish song was never allowed to look on that vale which has long been its most ideal home. Before finishing his tour, he went as far as Mthsdale, and surveyed the farm of Ellisland, with some thought already, that he might yet become the tenant of it. It is noteworthy,but not wonderful, that the scenes visited in this, tour called forth no poetry from Burns, ...

Table of Contents

1. Youth in Ayrshire; 2. First winter in Edinburgh; 3. Border and Highland tours; 4. Second winter in Edinburgh; 5. Life at Ellisland; 6. Migration to Dumfries; 7. Last years; 8. Character, poems, songs.