-
Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, 17 February 1792
Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, dated Dumfries, 17 February 1792. Encouraging the recipient to meet Captain Robert Riddell, "he is almost the only & undoubtedly the best friend that your unlucky fate has left you.
-
The French Republic is established.
-
The second Edinburgh edition of Poems, Chiefly in a Scottish Dialect is published and the first volume of Thomson’s Select Collection.
-
King Louis XVI of France is executed by guillotine.
-
France declares war against Britain.
-
Robert Burns is appointed Acting Supervisor of the Excise.
-
James Glencairn Burns is born to Jean Armour Burns.
-
William Blake publishes the combined Songs of Innocence and Experience.
-
Burns assists in organising the Royal Dumfries Volunteers, declaring the Oath of Allegiance and signing the Rules, Regulations and By-Laws of the militia.
-
Elizabeth Riddell Burns dies of rheumatic fever. Burns potentially catches it at the same time.
-
The Relief of the Poor Act is passed, providing payment relief for those in poverty without requiring them to enter a workhouse.
-
The development of the smallpox vaccine by Edward Jenner occurs.
-
Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, 26 June 1796
Letter from Robert Burns to James Clarke, dated Dumfries, 26 June 1796. Letter concerns his illness, his fears for his family after his death and other personal matters. Annotated "He died the 21 July". Includes facsimile.