Biography

The great poet of the Scotch people was born on the 25th of January, 1759 in a small clay-built cottage at Alloway. Robert's father, a poor farmer, worked from early morning till late at night. In his house he had a shelf of books brought from Edinburgh (a fact of importance for the future poet). It was from his father that Robert gained some first traces of education. Robert was lucky to have a good teacher at school, a serious young man who taught him good English, folk ballads, works by Milton, Shakespeare. At the age of 10, Robert would read anything that would come in his way.

Though Robert, being the elder son, had to help his father in the fields from the age of 13 ploughing all day long, he managed to make some acquaintances among fellows of his age from aristocratic society in the town of Ayr which he would visit on holidays. They were his first teachers of good manners.

When 15 years of age Burns fell in love for the first time in hi life and it was then that he created his first poem. Nelly was pretty girl of 14 who helped Robert ploughing the field. "This is how love and poetry sprang in me." In one of his daybooks h wrote: "There is a certain connection between love, music an poetry. I never dreamed of becoming a poet until I fell in love.

The family moved to Tarbolton. All farmers round the place sang songs created by young Burns. After his father's death the family knew misery.

In 1786, with the help of his friends Burns managed to publish his poems. A total of 600 copies of the book disappeared from the bookshops in several days. His name became know in London and Edinburgh. Burns found his way to the upper circles. Aristocrats were surprised to see the farmer who move among them with much dignity, spoke refined English and re] cited best pieces of old and modern literature. His poems and he himself amused the higher society of Edinburgh. As for the poet he expressed his opinion of the society in his epigram and some poems.

Burns left Edinburgh and started on a tour of the South с Scotland where he had never been. Then he visited the north of the country.

Burns had many attachments among women. He would easily fall in love. But his life-long love was Jean Armour, his wife whom he married secretly against the will of her parents. She was a great help to him throughout his life, she would forgive him his unexpected passions, the hardships of life. She had с beautiful voice and sang every song, created by him.

The last years of Burn's life were very hard. He gave up farming and with the help of his friends got a place at an office in Dumfries. In 1795 he fell seriously ill. Ten days before his death he wrote in to his cousin:"... a shopkeeper whom I owe a large sum of money took a proceeding against me. All that remains of me—bones and skin—they would surely throw into prison Can you do me a favour and send me 10 pounds. Oh, James, if you knew my proud heart you would know how I feel. I am no acustomed to beg. Save me from the terror of prison!"