The Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns

The Complete Poems and Songs of Robert Burns Hardback Book

Robert Burns is more than Scotland's national poet. He has become a symbol of Scottish national identity whose work is still read, recited and sung in schoolrooms, at Burns Suppers and in concerts all around the world. Burns was born on 25 January 1759, the oldest son of an Alloway farmer. His family led a very frugal, physically demanding life and the young Robert wrote poety as an escape from these circumstances. By his mid-twenties he was an accomplished writer of verse, publishing his first work, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect, in 1786.

His work shows an acute insight into human behaviour, often reflecting his own fiery political views and demonstrating a great talent for caricature and satire. It also shows irony and wit, unashamed romanticism and sentiment, bawdy humour, a seemingly indiscriminate admiration for the fairer sex and a capacity for compassion and feeling for his fellow man.

Burns died on 21 July 1796 but he lived a full life in his 37 years. A celebrity and a prolific poet, he left behind a body of work that remains undiminished in importance. This charismatic figure is surely one of the best known and best loved Scots.