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John Murdoch (teacher)
John Murdoch of Ayr was Robert Burns's most significant teacher or tutor and he was a friend of the Burnes family. He was born in 1747 and first taught Gilbert Burns (farmer), Gilbert and Robert Burns in Alloway when he was only aged eighteen. He remained in contact with the Burnes family for several years after leaving Ayrshire for London. Murdoch, William Burnes and Richard Brown (captain), Richard Brown were amongst the most significant influences on Burns life during his early years in Ayrshire. Life and character Murdoch's parents were John Murdoch, a teacher and session clark in Auchinleck, and Margaret Robinson. The family lived in Ayr's Sandgate in a two-storey house, long demolished, but marked with a plaque. He was a member of the Dumfries Volunteers, serving as a first lieutenant. In 1800 he was a collector of cess for Dumfrieshire. In 1776 Murdoch was sacked after around three years from his position at Ayr Burgh School on 14 February 1776, following his intoxicat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robert Burns's Commonplace Book 1783–1785
''Robert Burns's Commonplace Book 1783–1785'' is the first of three commonplace books that were produced by the poet. The contents cover drafts of songs and poems, observations, ideas, epitaphs, etc. Commonplace Books Robert Burns's three Commonplace books, 1783 to 1785, a second 1787 to 1790 and a third 1789 to 1794. are personal compilations of early drafts of songs, prose and some poetry as well as observations on people, places and ideas. Copies of poetry, excerpts from books, quotations, moral, religious and philosophical, contemplative, etc. are included. Such books are unique to the author's particular interests and often include passages found in other texts accompanied by the compiler's comments. The term "Commonplace" derives from the Latin expression ''locus communis'' which translates as "a general or common topic". Generally the individual concerned collects material which have a common theme. Although they are private collections of information, they are not di ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
A Manual Of Religious Belief
The surviving manuscript of the instructional work ''A Manual of Religious Belief'' is written in the form of a theological dialogue between father and child written out in holograph by John Murdoch for William Burnes, Robert Burns's father. William had started to compose and compile the work before Robert Burns's birth and wrote the first rough draft that has not survived. This work was originally composed with a stronger Scots language content that Murdoch modified, as well as making grammatical corrections. History of the manuscript The manuscript is not bound and is made up of only six leaves, quarto size, that is 16.5cms by 21 cms. The document is devoid of a title, contents page, pagination or even a record of authorship. It is lightly tied with a piece of red thread and John Murdoch's legible and elegant handwriting is found on all the sheets except the final verso. Burns's biographer, James Currie, stated that Gilbert Burns, Robert's brother, had the manual in his p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Helen Hyslop
Helen Hyslop, also Nelly or Ellen Hyslop was a 'noted local beauty' in Moffat and a strong local tradition maintains that Robert Burns was for some time a great admirer of her and that she had an affair with him. A daughter, also Helen, is said to have been born as a result of this liaison.Westwood, Page 138 Parish records show that a Helen Hyslop, the mother of Burns's possible daughter, was born in the area in 1766, her parents being John Hyslop and Janet Howatson of Langholm.Mackay, Page 687 Associates An article was published in a Moffat newspaper in circa 1885 recalling that a Mrs Richardson of Moffat, born in 1864, recalled running messages as a child for Helen Armstrong, the daughter's married name, and knew her as a daughter of Robert Burns.Robert Burns Chronicle, Page 51 Life and character Little detail is extant regarding Ellen/Helen or Nelly, other than her good looks. The daughter, also Ellen/Helen, after retiring, lived until the age of ninety-eight in the same litt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gavin Hamilton (lawyer)
Gavin Hamilton was one of Robert Burns's closest friends and a patron. The first ' Kilmarnock Edition' of his poems were dedicated to Gavin Hamilton. Life and character He was born in 1751 in Mauchline, Scotland. His father, John Hamilton of Kype near Strathaven in Lanarkshire, was a lawyer in Mauchline and clerk to the regality of Mauchline. His mother was Jacobina Young, his father's first wife. Gavin became a writer or lawyer in Mauchline and a factor or clerk to the Regality of Mauchline to the Earl of Loudoun. Gavin had purchased the Abbot's Tower or Castle of Mauchline and constructed a modern villa adjacent to it, but later sold the property to the Earl of Loudoun and leased it back. Gavin was appointed the collector of stent in 1775 and administered the collection of poor relief within the parish. Gavin was a fifth son and married Helen Kennedy, eldest daughter of Robert Kennedy of Daljarrock on 10 July 1775, having eight children of his own. He brought up his family i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jenny Clow
Janet, Jennie or Jenny Clow was a domestic servant to Mrs Agnes Maclehose, née Craig (1759-1841), the Clarinda to Robert Burns' Sylvander.Burns Encyclopedia Retrieved : 2012-02-26 She was the daughter of Andrew (or AlexanderWestwood, Page 138) Clow and Margaret Inglis from and was the youngest of eight children.Rootsweb Retrieved : 2012-02-26 Her mistress sent her to deliver a letter to the poet and he seduced her. [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mary Campbell (Highland Mary)
Mary Campbell, also known as Highland MaryBurns Encyclopedia Retrieved : 17 March 2012 (christened Margaret, March 1763 Retrieved 23 March 2012 – 1786), was the daughter of Archibald Campbell of Daling, a sailor in a revenue cutter,Annandale, V.1, Page 173 whose wife was Agnes Campbell of Achnamore or Auchamore. Mary was the eldest of a family of four. had an affair with her after he felt that he had been "deserted" by [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
May Cameron
May Cameron also known as Margaret, Peggy, or Meg Cameron,Burns Encyclopedia Retrieved : 2012-03-11 was a servant in Edinburgh, working at a house close to that of William Creech, Burns's Edinburgh publisher. retrieved : 2012-03-11 Life and character May Cameron was, as stated, a servant girl working in Edinburgh. After a brief relationship with she lost her job and had at first to rely upon the poet for funds. May married her cousin Mungo Forbes in September 1788. Mackay states that she was a Highlander.[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Isabella Burns
Isabella Burns (Isabella Begg) (1771–1858) or Isobel Burns (Isobel Begg) was the youngest sister of the poet Robert Burns, born to William Burness and Agnes Broun at Mount Oliphant Farm on the 27 June 1771 and christened on 2 July 1771 by Rev. William McGill, a friend of her father.McQueen, Page 15 When she died she was the last member of Robert Burns's immediate family and when living at Bridge House in Alloway for the last sixteen years of her life she entertained many visitors who were interested in his life and works. She was the source of many published insights into Burns' life, character and loves. Her siblings knew her as 'Isbal'. Life and background Her sisters were Agnes and Annabella whilst her brothers were Robert, Gilbert, John and William. When at Lochlea, Robert Chambers records from her own words "''Her main occupation was one suited to her tender years – that of tending the cattle in the field. Her father would often visit her, sit down by her side, an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nelly Blair
Nelly Blair, later Nelly Smith (17591820) is sometimes suggested as being Scottish poet Robert Burns' first love. The true identity of Nell Burns himself did not identify his 'Handsome Nell' by name. Nelly Kilpatrick has been suggested as being Burns's first romantic love, but some significant doubts exist about the true identity of this individual. It was thought to be a Nelly Blair until Burns's sister Isabella gave the name Nelly Kilpatrick, however Isobel was only three years old at the time of Burns's association with Nelly and some doubt must be cast on her recollections at this stage in her life.Mackay, Page 51 Life and character Burns stated that Nelly had a sweet voice and was wont to sing songs as she worked in the fields.Scotland's Culture 6 February 2012 The first reference to Nelly ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alison Begbie
Alison Begbie, Ellison Begbie or Elizabeth Gebbie (1762–1823), is said to have been the daughter of a farmer, born in the parish of Galston, and at the time of her courtship by Robert Burns she is thought to have been a servant or housekeeper employed at Carnell House, then known as Cairnhill, on the River Cessnock, situated about 2 miles from Loudoun Mill. It is thought that Burns's youngest sister Isobel Burns confused her name, which was really Elizabeth Gebbie.Mackay, Page 88 Life and character Alison may have lived at Old Place, now Shawsmill Farm, the daughter of a tenant-farmer.Mackay, Page 84 Burns was living at Lochlea Farm at this time.Robert Burns Encyclopedia Retrieved : 9 February 2012 Although not a beauty, she had many charming qualities, inspired by an education somewhat beyond anything that Burns had ever encounte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lesley Baillie
Lesley Baillie (1768–1843), later Mrs Lesley Cumming, was born at Mayville, Stevenston, Ayrshire. She was a daughter of Robert Baillie and married Robert Cumming of Logie, Moray. Her lasting fame derives from being Robert Burns's 'Bonnie Lesley', ''"the most beautiful, elegant woman in the world"''. On her tombstone her name is given as Leslie Baillie. Life and character The daughter of sea captain Robert Baillie of Mayfield,Love, Page 45 she married Robert Cumming of Logie, Moray in 1799. She had a sister named Maria (Grace) and her mother was May Reid. She was a granddaughter of Anna Cunninghame and John Reid, second son of the minister of the parish, their daughter being her mother. Through her mother she was related to Sir Robert Cunninghame of Auchenharvie.Clements, Page 72 In 1799 Lesley married Robert Cumming of Logie, Morayshire. Lesley had six children of whom four sons died on army service in India. Her husband predeceased her by a good many years. Her character was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jean Armour
Jean Armour (25 February 1765 – 26 March 1834), also known as the "Belle of Mauchline", was the wife of the poet Robert Burns. She inspired many of his poems and bore him nine children, three of whom survived into adulthood. Biography Born in Mauchline, Ayrshire in 1765, Armour was second oldest of the eleven children of stonemason James Armour (died 1798) and Mary Smith Armour. She met Robert Burns on a drying green in Mauchline around 1784 when she chased his dog away from her laundry. According to Armour's testimony in 1827, she met Burns again at a local dance. By the time Burns's first illegitimate child, Elizabeth "Bess" Burns (1785 – 1817), was born to Elizabeth Paton (1760 – c. 1799) on 22 May 1785, he and Jean Armour were in a relationship, and by the end of the year she was pregnant with his child. Her announcement, in March 1786, that she was expecting Robert Burns's baby caused her father to faint. The certificate of an informal marriage agreement between Burns ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
