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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 27 July 1788
This three page letter from Burns to Alexander Cunningham contains five verses of the poem 'My godlike friend - nay do not stare'. It also contains news regarding Burns's marriage, family life and new farm at Ellisland.
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The formal marriage of Jean Armour and Robert Burns is registered in Mauchline, although they likely married in March 1788.
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Jenny Clow, the maid of Agnes Maclehose in Edinburgh, gives birth to a son, Robert Burns Jnr.
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Burns sends the first version of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to Mrs Dunlop. During his time at Ellisland Farm, Burns writes over 130 songs and poems, nearly a quarter of his total output.
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Robert Burns formally takes up Excise work with a salary of £50 per annum.
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William Blake writes Songs of Innoncence.
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Letter of Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 24 January 1789
In this four page letter Burns writes to his friend Alexander Cunningham to commiserate with him on the loss of his fiancée to a surgeon in Edinburgh. He also asks his friend to comment on two poems which he encloses.
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George Washington becomes the first President of the United States of America.
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Jean Armour and Robert Burns move into Ellisland Farm.
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The fall of the Bastille in Paris marks the beginning of the French Revolution.
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Francis Wallace Burns is born to Jean Armour Burns.
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Robert Burns writes Tam o’ Shanter.
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Letter from Alexander Cunningham to Robert Burns, 28 January 1790
Letter from Alexander Cunningham to Robert Burns, dated 28 January 1790
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 13-16 February 1790
This letter is composed of four pages made up of four separately dated sections following on from each other, which Burns wrote to Cunningham from 13 to 16 February 1790. In the letter, Burns thanks him for his three letters written of 17 December, 19 December, and 28 January.
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Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man is published in London.
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 11 March 1791 with 'Ye banks and braes o’ bonnie Doon'
Includes the Poet's earliest draft of "Ye banks and braes o' bonnie Doon" which begins "Sweet are the banks, the banks o' Doon" .Also includes the text of: 1. "by yon castle wa' at the close of day" -There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame. (Poem no. 326) 2. Lines 5-8 of "I look to the west, when I gae to rest".
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 11 March 1791
A seven page letter which Burns writes to his friend Cunningham replying to two of his letters and enclosing his first version of the song "Ye flowery banks" (the Banks o Doon) and his version of an old Jacobite song both of which he included in Johnson's Musical Museum Vol 4.
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Anne Park gives birth to Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Burns. Betty is raised by Jean Armour with the rest of Burns’s children after Anne’s death in 1793.
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Jean Armour gives birth to William Nicol Burns at Ellisland.
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Washington DC is founded as America’s capital city.
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The first Ten Amendments to the American Constitution are created.
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Robert Burns and his family leave Ellisland Farm and take up residence in Dumfries.
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Mozart dies, aged 35, in Vienna.
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The last meeting takes place between Agnes Maclehose and Robert Burns in Edinburgh. She departs for Jamaica to be briefly reconciled with her husband in January 1792.
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Burns is asked to contribute to George Thomson’s A Select Collection of Original Scotish Airs for the Voice.
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Jean Armour gives birth to Elizabeth Riddell Burns.
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Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is published.
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 10 September 1792
Includes an early draft of 339 "O saw ye bonie Lesley". 2 sheets [encapsulated]
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 10th September 1792
a. Beginning of letter 'I will not attempt an apology b. Contains address, seal, continuation of letter, and poem 'O saw ye bonie Lesle
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The French Republic is established.
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The second Edinburgh edition of Poems, Chiefly in a Scottish Dialect is published and the first volume of Thomson’s Select Collection.
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King Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine.
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France declares war against Britain.
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, dated 20 February 1793
This is a three page letter which Burns wrote to his friend Alexander Cunningham, enclosing a recent sonnet he has composed and asking why he has not heard from his friend recently. He includes a 'Catechism' on politics, ministers and patriotism.
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Robert Burns is appointed Acting Supervisor of the Excise.
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James Glencairn Burns is born to Jean Armour Burns.
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William Blake publishes the combined Songs of Innocence and Experience.
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Burns assists in organising the Royal Dumfries Volunteers, declaring the Oath of Allegiance and signing the Rules, Regulations and By-Laws of the militia.
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Elizabeth Riddell Burns dies of rheumatic fever. Burns potentially catches it at the same time.
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The Relief of the Poor Act is passed, providing payment relief for those in poverty without requiring them to enter a workhouse.
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The development of the smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner occurs.
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Letter from Robert Burns to Alexander Cunningham, 7 July 1796
Three page letter from Burns to his friend Cunningham in reply to an earlier letter and explaining his various medical, financial and family problems with which he is beset. He is seeking Cunningham's help to get his full salary restored from the Excise commissioners. (letter no 700)