Occupation: Poet Nationality: Scottish
Why he is famous: Robert Burns is Scotland's best-loved poet and perhaps its most famous son. Burns' poetry was first published in 1786, and his collection of poems, Poems, Chiefly in the Scots Dialect, brought him widespread acclaim. Burns spent the last ten years of his life collecting, revising and composing the traditional Scottish songs that would make him famous. It was Burns who wrote and tinkered with "Auld Lang Syne," which is now traditionally sung on New Year's Eve in much of the English-speaking world. During his short life of 37 years, Burns also became famous for his stance against religious orthodoxy and his numerous loves, including 12 children. Burns Night is now celebrated around the world on January 25, the poet's birthday.
Born: January 25, 1759 Place of birth: Alloway, Scotland, United Kingdom Star sign: Aquarius
Death: July 21, 1796 (37 years old) Cause of death: Robert may have suffered from rheumatic heart disease after a tooth extraction incident in his life Burns 1786-07-31 Robert Burns' "Poetry, chiefly in Scottish dialect" by John Wilson in Kiel, Scotland, 1791-03-18 Marnock publishes Robert Burns' "Tan O'Chant" poem, published in the Edinburgh Herald 1802-01-29 "First Celebration of Burns Night", in memory of the poet Robert Burns On Enns' birthday, Greenock's Mother's Club (later realizing his actual birthday on January 25th) shared on Twitter famous poets Alfred Tennyson Brendan Behan Emma Raza Ruth Frederic Mistral Maya Angelou Rudyard Kipling