3 Facts About Robert Burns That May Surprise You
Channel: Celtic History Decoded
Date: 2023-01-26

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With Burns night upon us, what’s 3 facts about Robert Burns that may surprise you? Firstly, Burns was a massive hit in Russia. He even became known as the people’s poet of Russia. His poems were translated into Russian during the Imperial period and into the Soviet period. In 1924, a new Russian translation of Burns work sold an astonishing 600,000 copies. In 1956, Burns even featured on a Soviet stamp. 

Secondly, when Burns was in financial difficulties after not making a success of farming, he was on the verge of moving to Jamaica to work on a sugar plantation as a book keeper or assistant overseer of slaves. To fund his passage overseas and raise funds in general however, he was encouraged to publish his poems by a subscription model. 

He comprised his Scots poems into a volume and sent it off to John Wilson, a Kilmarnock printer. On the 31 July 1786, John Wilson published Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect by Robert Burns, known as the Kilmarnock volume. It sold for 3 shillings. It was an instant success, so much so that the Jamaica move never happened, as Burns made money off his great passion. He moved to Edinburgh instead. 

Thirdly, Burns fathered 12 children by four women, including 9 with his wife, Jean Armour. Initially, Burns reputation as a womaniser was so bad that Jean’s father initially forbade it, but they finally got married in 1788. 3 of their 9 children survived infancy. 

Burns, a man who died at the tender age of 37 in 1796, is still celebrated across the world over 200 years after his death, which speaks to the quality of his work. Thanks for watching and happy Burns night. 

Sources:

BBC - How could Robert Burns have considered a career in the Caribbean slave trade? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4JVKtsvq0TRyfgD0PQ05C7J/how-could-robert-burns-have-considered-a-career-in-the-caribbean-slave-trade 

Scotland History Tours - Life of Robert Burns in 10 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGoscWxVjI 

Herald, Burns Night 2023: Robert Burns poems, songs and other facts https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19843400.burns-night-2023-robert-burns-poems-songs-facts/ 

#robertburns #scotland #burnsnight