Join

Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 10 November 1796

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/04/499
Alt. number
3.6084.ab
Date
10 November 1796
On display
No
Creator
Syme, John (Author)
Recipient
Cunningham, Alexander

Explore correspondence between the creator and recipient

Description

Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, dated Ryedale, Dumfries, 10 November 1796.

30 letters from Cunningham to John Syme, dated between 20th July,1796, and 5th May, 1797; letter from Earl of Buchan to Cunningham, dated "4th August, 1796"; portraits and illustrations and other papers.

One of a series of 30 letters between John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, collectively known as the Cunningham Collection.

The Edinburgh lawyer Alexander Cunningham (1763 - 1812) met Burns when he travelled to the Scottish capital. The two became live-long friends with much correspondence travelling between them. Following Burns's death, Cunningham led the effort to raise funds to support the remaining Burns family.

John Syme (1755 - 1831) was a Collector of Stamps in the Excise and became a friend of Burns when the family moved to Dumfries in 1791. He visited Burns at Brow Well on 15 July 1796 and again a few days later in Dumfries, where he was horrified at his friend's deteriorated condition. After Burns' death a few days later, Syme and Dr Maxwell organised his funeral. Syme also worked with Cunningham in raising money to help support Burns' widow Jean and remaining children.

Archive information


Hierarchy

  1. Correspondence and other documents relating to Robert Burns ( )
  2. Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 10 November 1796

Caring for collections

A gift of £5 a month can help us ensure collections like the Robert Burns Collection receive ongoing care and are shared with as many people as possible.

Donate today