Print entitled 'Birthplace of Burns', 1808

'Birthplace of Burns', 1808

Introduction:

Robert Burns was born at Alloway near Ayr on the 25th January 1759, the eldest of seven children of Agnes and William Burnes. His father was a market gardener, who having acquired a small holding of land, had built this cottage with its whitewashed clay walls and thatched roof with his own hands.

Image Rights Holder:

Dumfries & Galloway Museums Service

Ref:

217

Project:

241:Robert Burns - People and Places

Material:

Paper

Dimensions:

Whole - length: 100 mm, width: 89 mm

What:

Print entitled 'Birthplace of Burns', 1808

Subject:

This engraving is originally from the collection of Dr Thomas Boyle Grierson of Thornhill, whose father, William Grierson, was a friend and supporter of Robert Burns. Dr Grierson was a prominent local antiquarian and member of the Burns movement in the later part of the nineteenth century.

Who:

Robert Burns (1759-1796) (his birthplace)

Dr Thomas Boyle Grierson (1818-1889) (previous owner)

Robert Hartley Cromek (1770-1812) (engraver)

Thomas Stothard (1755-1834) (artist)

When:

1808

Where:

Dumfries Museum, Dumfries & Galloway

Background:

This engraving is originally from the collection of Dr Thomas Boyle Grierson of Thornhill, whose father, William Grierson, was a friend and supporter of Robert Burns. Dr Grierson was a prominent local antiquarian and member of the Burns movement in the later part of the nineteenth century.

Description:

The poet's father sold the cottage in 1781 and it was used as a public house until May 1881. By this time it had become a place of pilgrimage for Burns enthusiasts from around the world. It was purchased for ¶œ4,000 by the Trustees of the Burns Monument and opened to the public.