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Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 5 January 1789

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/04/494
Alt. number
3.6084.w
Date
5 January 1789
On display
No
Creator
Syme, John (Author)
Recipient
Cunningham, Alexander

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Description

Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, dated Barcailzie, 5 January, 1789.

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

Place of creation


Hierarchy

  1. Correspondence and other documents relating to Robert Burns ( )
  2. Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 5 January 1789

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