THE nation's most famous poet, Robert Burns, is celebrated every January 25 by Scots all over the globe.

The tradition began after the Scottish Poet Laureate's death in 1796, when his friends decided they needed to celebrate his career and literary achievement's. But who was Burns and what was his life like?

Who was Robert Burns?

Robert Burns, also referred to as Rabbie Burns or the Bard of Ayrshire, is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.

He is best known for his work in the Scottish language, although many of his poems have been translated into English with a light Scots dialect so they can be more widely read.

His most famous work includes Auld Lang Syne, Ae Fond Kiss, Scots Wha Hae, A Red, Red Rose, A Man’s a Man for A’ That and Tam o’ Shanter.

He became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism after his death in 1796.

In 2009, he was named the greatest Scot of all time, in a vote on Scottish TV station STV, beating William Wallace.

Where was Robert Burns born?

Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Scotland.

He was one of seven children and despite his parents being tenant farmers they made sure their son received a fairly good education.

He met Jean Armour and after an on-off relationship over the course of several years, they got married in 1788.

Where did Robert Burns live?

In his twenties Burns arrived in Edinburgh, where he was welcomed by a circle of wealthy and important friends.

He asked for help from musical publisher James Johnson and together they created The Scots Musical Museum, a collection of traditional music of Scotland.

However, he grew weary of urban life, Burns settled on a farm at Ellisland in the summer of 1788 and married Jean Armour.

In 1789 he quit farming and he began work as an excise officer in Dumfries, which he would call his last home town before his death.

Who was Burns' wife?

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.

The couple had an on and off relationship before getting married in 1788.

The poet enjoyed female company and over his time fathered 12 children by four different mothers.

How did Robert Burns die?

Burns died in Dumfries on July 21, 1796, aged just 37.

There are many theories behind his death.

It's thought that he had a long-term rheumatic heart condition, which is caused by the fever of the same name – and starts with a strep throat.

A popular theory is that he was found by the roadside in the pouring rain after suffering with a heart infection called endocarditis.

Where is Robert Burns buried?

Burns was at first buried in the far corner of St. Michael's Churchyard in Dumfries; a simple "slab of freestone" was erected as his gravestone by Jean Armour, which some felt insulting to his memory.

The funeral took place on Monday, July 25, 1796 – the same day that his son Maxwell was born.

His body was eventually moved to its final location in the same cemetery, the Burns Mausoleum, in September 1817.

Why is Robert Burns celebrated on January 25?

The day celebrates Burns' contribution to Scottish culture on the date of his birth.

It is an evening of food, drink and poetry recitals.

What is a traditional Burns supper?

The Burns Night celebration centres on the entrance of the haggis (a type of sausage prepared using a sheep's stomach stuffed with its own heart liver and lungs), which is traditionally piped in to the sound of bagpipes.

The first course is usually a soup. Scotch broth is common, as are Cullen skink, which is made from smoked haddock and potatoes, and cock-a-leekie, which is chicken and leek soup.

Once the meal is on the table, the host addresses the haggis, often with either Robert Burns’ poem The Selkirk Grace or Address To A Haggis.

A Scotch whisky toast is also made to the haggis.

BURNS NIGHT

The haggis is then sliced open and is usually served with mashed turnips (neeps) and potatoes (tatties).

Dessert is a sweet dish called cranachan, which is a mixture of whipped cream, whisky, honey, raspberries and toasted oats soaked overnight.

There are usually several other toasts throughout the evening, with the night ending with guests holding hands singing Auld Lang Syne.

If you're hosting a Burns Night get together, check out this recipe for some haggis bon bons, served with ginger beer and beetroot.

Are there any living descendants of Robert Burns?

He is now thought to have over 9,000 living relations.

Identifying them is extremely difficult due to various spellings of the poet's family name, including Burnes and Burness.

What are Robert Burns' most famous poems?

• Auld Lang Syne
• To A Louse
• To A Mouse
• Tam O'Shanter
• Scots Wha Hae
• A Red, Red Rose
• Address To A Haggis

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