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Line 1: − + − He is most famous for his compositions "The Chevalier's Lament", "The Song o' the Clyde", "Auld Lang Syne"[[http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiNINEINCH;ttNINEINCH.html]], and "Scots Wha Hae"[[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/424.htm]], about [[Robert the Bruce]] and the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].+ − + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
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'''Robert Burns''' (1759-1796) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] poet, widely regarded as Scotland's national poet. A major cultural icon, he is regarded as a pioneer of [[Romanticism]]. He wrote both in English, and in [[Scots]].
'''Robert Burns''' (1759-1796) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] poet, philanderer and [[Adultery|adulterer]] who fathered a total of twelve children by four women of which seven were illegitimate, including the first four by Jean Armour before they were married in 1788. Burns' poetry in both English and rough gutteral [[Scots]] dialect often included pieces of a bawdry obscene nature promoting [[promiscuity]] and drunkenness. He also often attacked and mocked churchgoers and [[religion]] in his poetry. His promiscuity and drinking was condemmned by the elders of the local kirk (Church) and he was not held in high regard by his neighbors.
Burns was initially [[homeschooling|homeschooled]] by his father, who taught his children reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and history, and also wrote for them ''A Manual Of Christian Belief''. Later he was taught Latin, French and mathematics by John Murdoch at his 'adventure school' in Alloway. After that Burns was once again homeschooled but later attended Dalrymple Parish (public) School.
His birthday, the 25th of January, is celebrated in Scotland and far beyond as [[Burns Night]]. These celebrations involve the recitation of his poetry, the eating of [[haggis]] and the imbibing of much Scotch [[whisky]].
Burns' first volume, ''Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect'' was published in April 1786, also known as the Kilmarnock volume. It included his poem ''Address to the Deil'' (''Deil'' mean devil). The poem addresses the [[Satan|Devil]] mocking the pulpit oratory of the [[Presbyterian]] Church.
::"O thou! Whatever title suit thee,
::Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick or Clootie"
In 1787 he was invited to [[Edinburgh]] by supporters the [[humanism|humanist]] and rationalist [[enlightenment]] that was capturing the imagination of [[liberal]] Europeans. Burns' reputation for philandery, drunkenness an [[moral relativism]] preceded him and he was received as an equal by the city's liberals who considered him an excellent guest at their gatherings.
Burns later came to be regarded as Scotland's national poet. A major cultural icon, he is regarded as a pioneer of [[Romanticism]].
He is most famous for his compositions "The Chevalier's Lament", "The Song o' the Clyde", "Auld Lang Syne"<ref>[http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiNINEINCH;ttNINEINCH.html]</ref>, and "Scots Wha Hae"<ref>[http://www.worldburnsclub.com/poems/translations/424.htm]</ref>, about [[Robert the Bruce]] and the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].
His birthday, the 25th of January, is celebrated in Scotland and far beyond as [[Burns Night]]. These celebrations involve the recitation of his poetry, the eating of [[haggis]], a toast to the lasses and the imbibing of much Scotch [[whisky]].
== References ==
<references/>
[http://www.robertburns.org/works/ Complete works, online.]
[http://www.robertburns.org/works/ Complete works, online.]