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Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 22 February 1813

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/03/06/10
Alt. number
3.6453
Date
22 February 1813
On display
No
Creator
Burns, James Glencairn (Author)
Recipient
Burns, Jean Armour

Explore correspondence between the creator and recipient

Description

Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, dated Jarra Mirzapore, 22 February 1813.

James Glencairn Burns (1794 – 1865) was the second youngest son of Robert and Jean. He was sent to London for his education and then travelled to India in 1810 to serve in the East India Company’s army. At the end of his long military career he retired as a brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel in the 15th Bengal Native Infantry.

A series of letters from the young James Glencairn Burns to his family and friends survives, detailing his schooling in London, his journey to India and his initial experiences there.

Here James writes that this letter will be delivered to Dumfries, by the Scottish Surgeon who allowed him to use his cabin during the voyage to India. James also complains that unlike his brother William, his prospects for promotion as still very poor.

He also comments on his father's works, which he has been reading. He asks his mother if she knows the identity of any of the blank names contained in his poetry. He also observes:
'I have been reading his works very carefully lately and really like his letters better than the Poetry.'
He also laments that he has not inherited his father's poetical sensibilities before signing off.

Archive information

Place of creation


Hierarchy

  1. Letters, documents and ephemera regarding the family of Robert Burns ( )
  2. Letters and documents relating to James Glencairn Burns ( )
  3. Letter from James Glencairn Burns to Jean Burns, 22 February 1813

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