|
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 dia ... [...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 (teacher), 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 (physician), James Currie, stated that Gilbert ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
