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Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 23 July 1796

Key details

Archive number
NTS/02/25/BRN/04/489
Alt. number
3.6084.r
Date
23 July 1796
On display
No
Creator
Syme, John (Author)
Recipient
Cunningham, Alexander

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Description

Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, dated Dumfries, 23 July 1796.

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.

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Hierarchy

  1. Correspondence and other documents relating to Robert Burns ( )
  2. Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 23 July 1796