Robert Burns' Birthday

The Freethinker Robert Burns

Perhaps there are a lot more sides that we know about Robert Burns, but none stands out as much as his being a poet and a lyricist. He was born on January 25, 1759 in Alloway, South Ayshire Scotland to parents William Burns and Agnes Broun and is esteemed as the national poet of Scotland. He revolutionized poem composition in his nation by writing in his own dialect, the Scots Language. Some of his works are written in English, perhaps only when he deems to be blunt and frank in his political and civil comments.

Robert Burns the Romantic:

Robert Burns is the Father of the Romantic Movement. Romanticism is an intellectual movement during the 17th century that places emphasis on strong emotions and feelings such as trepidation, fear, love and anger in confronting the magnificence of nature and life. His work became the foundation for liberalism and socialism. Robert Burns wrote several poems dedicated to the various loves of his life, one of which is young Eliza Burnett, the daughter of Lord Monboddo. Lord Monboddo owns the house Robert Burns’ father used to live in and young Robert would make excuses like eating supper with his father for the sole purpose of seeing Eliza. Unfortunately, Eliza died at a very young age. Robert though referred to Eliza as the epitome of Beauty, Grace and Goodness. He was later married to Jean Armour.

Robert Burns the Freethinker:

In July 4, 1781, Robert Burns was initiated into the Lodge of St. David Tarbolton and was raised as a Freemason on October 1, 1781. At the age of 25, he became a Depute Master until he was 29 years old. As a Depute Master in the 1700’s, Robert Burns often does all the workings of the Lodge like raising brethrens, attending meetings and doing Lodge business. In May 18, 1787, Robert Burns became a Royal Arch Mason and was re-elected as a Depute Master in the same year.

Robert Burns the Poet:

Robert Burns used to collect folk songs all over Scotland and would often revise and adapt them. One of his most famous poems, which is sung every New Year, is Auld Lang Syne. Scots Wha Hae, another song he wrote also served as an informal national anthem for Scotland. Other poems like A Red, Red Rose, To a Mouse, To a Louse, and A Man’s A Man For A’ That is celebrated all over the world even today. He became a major contributor to The Scots Musical Museum along with James Johnson and published their first volume in 1787 and later in 1803.

Robert Burns the Icon:

His birthday is celebrated as an unofficial national day all over Scotland today. There are organizations named after him, like the Robert Burns Fellowship in New Zealand and the Burns Club in Atlanta. His Statues can be found in Dumfries, Carlton Hill, Edinburgh and Alloway, Ayshire. Some towns like Burns, New York and Burns, Oregon are named after this highly esteemed poet and lyricist known all over the world.