Robbie Burns

Robert Burns (January 25, 1759 – July 21, 1796) is the best known of the poets who have written in Scots. His most famous poem "Auld Lang Syne" is often sung at Hogmanay (New Year's). His works have been translated into more languages than any other British writer (including that other famous British poet from the south).

Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland to a poor farming family, his parents made sure that he was well educated as a child. In 1783, he started composing poetry in a traditional style using the Ayrshire dialect of Scots. These poems were well received locally and in 1786 they were published in the volume, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by a local printer in Kilmarnock. This volume made him famous in Scotland overnight and, as a result, he spent several years in Edinburgh society. However, this fame was not accompanied by wealth and he found it necessary to return to farming. That too proved unprofitable and in 1789 he entered government service working for the Customs and Excise service.

He died at the age of 37 as a result of a weak heart, the result of a lifetime of poor working conditions on the farm. Within a short time of his death, money started pouring in from all over Scotland to support his widow and children. His memory is celebrated by Burns clubs across the world; his birthday is an unofficial "National Day" for Scots and those with Scottish ancestry, celebrated with Burns suppers.