Selected letters and poems of Robert Burns from the Library of Honresfield House., 1781-1795.
Scope and Contents
Letters
Ainslie, Robert
Letter, 29 May 1787, of Burns to Robert Ainslie with news of his travel. Folios 1-2.
Ballantine, John
Letter, 13 December 1786, of Burns to John Ballantine on his Edinburgh patrons. Folios 3-4.
Burnes, William
Letter, 27 December 1781, of Burns to his father, William Burnes, on his ill-health and future prospects. Included is the title page of the catalogue of the sale of the manuscript and description of the letter, 1891. Folios 5-8.
Burns, Jean
Letter, 12 September 1788, of Burns to his wife Jean on domestic matters. Folio 9.
Chalmers, William
Letter, 27 December 1786, of Burns to William Chalmers enclosing two poems [no longer part of the collection]. Folio 10.
Dunlop, Frances
Letter,30 April 1787, of Burns to Frances Dunlop on criticisms of his poems. Folio 11.
Letter, 22 August 1792, of Burns to Frances Dunlop on a new edition of his poems. Folios 12-15.
McLehose, Agnes
Letter, 7 March 1788, of Burns to Agnes McLehose on his love for her. Folios 16-19.
Reid, George
Letter, 19 April 1787, of Burns to George Ried [sic] on sending him two copies of his poems. Folios 20-21.
Stewart, William
Letter, 15 January 1795, of Burns to William Stewart with a request for money. Folios 22-23.
Poems
Poem, 4th quarter of 18th century, 'Hail Poesie!. Folio 24.
Manuscript, 4th quarter of 18th century, containing the poem 'The Lass of Cessnock Banks', and (folio 26 verso) verses of 'Auld Lang Syne'. Included is the description of the manuscript from the sale catalogue, 1891. Folios 25-27.
Dates
- Creation: 1781-1795.
Creator
- Burns, Robert (poet) (1759–1796) (Creator, Person)
- Ainslie, Robert (lawyer) (Recipient, Person)
- Ballantine, John (merchant and banker) (Recipient, Person)
- Burnes, William (father of Robert Burns) (Recipient, Person)
- Burns, Jean (née Armour, wife of Robert Burns) (Recipient, Person)
- Chalmers, William (writer) (Recipient, Person)
- Dunlop, Frances Anna (of Dunlop, née Wallace ) (Recipient, Person)
- McLehose, Agnes (née Craig, pseudonym 'Clarinda', correspondent of Robert Burns, poet) (Recipient, Person)
- Reid, George (farmer) (Recipient, Person)
- Stewart, William (factor) (Recipient, Person)
Language of Materials
Poems are written in Scots.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
28 Leaves
Arrangement
i + 27 folios.
The letters are arranged alphabetically by the surname of the recipients. Where two or more letters are held for the same recipient they are arranged by date. The poems follow the letters.
Separated Materials
A series of 12 letters and poems of Burns from the Library of Honresfield House are now part of the collections of NTS and are held at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway.
Bibliography
General
Blavatnik Honresfield Library. After the acquisition in 2021 of the Honresfield library the collection was distributed between various institutions. Collectively the holdings across those institutions are now known as the Blavatnik Honresfield Library in recognition of the generosity of Sir Leonard Blavatnik in supporting the acquisition.
Genre / Form
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk