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Robert Burns is the well known Scottish poet. As a special tribute to him people celebrate his life and poetry on his birthday the 25th January.
Robert Burns was born in 1759 in Alloway near Ayrshire Scotland to William Burness and his wife Agnes Broun. He was the eldest of their 7 children. William Burness was a tenant farmer. He believed education was very important and encouraged them with
their studies.
The family were poor and Burns worked on the farm from a fairly young age. He also had a love of poetry and read a lot. He soon began to write his own poems and was encouraged by friends to have them published. This he did and they were successful. His most famous poems are Red, Red Rose and Tam O' Shanter. When his father died he and his brother Gilbert took on the farm. But farming became less and less what he wanted to do. Poetry was what brought him enjoyment.
He was about to go and seek work in Jamaica. But he was asked to go to Edinburgh about publication of another edition of his poems. Despite his success he never had enough money to survive just on writing his poems. So he did have to do other jobs such as farming to live. He died of a heart disease on the 21st July 1796. His wife Jean Armour gave birth to their 9th child a son Maxwell on the day of his funeral.
A Burns Night supper can be either formal or casual. It is a traditional Scottish meal. This usually involves cock - a - leekie soup, Haggis (you really don't want to know how Haggis is made!) and sherry trifle.
Robert Burns is poetry and songs are recited. Some people may do toasts and speeches. But it is mainly to remember a great Scottish poet and have an enjoyable evening that includes Scottish food and drink.
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