Huntington Library, Manuscript Collections

Burns (Robert) Collection, 1784-1829, bulk 1784-1796

Robert Burns Collection, 1784-1829, bulk 1784-1796

Summary

Creators:
Burns, Robert, 1759-1796.
Abstract:
This collection contains approximately 45 pieces of correspondence and manuscripts chiefly in the hand of Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796), dating from 1784. Within the documents, there are approximately 36 different pieces of verse by Burns, including poems, ballads, and songs. The correspondence, often containing lines of verse, primarily consists of one to two letters from Burns to various friends and patrons.
Extent:
approximately 45 items in 1 box (26 folders) and 18 loose cases and volumes
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Robert Burns Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains approximately 45 pieces of correspondence and manuscripts chiefly in the hand of Scottish poet Robert Burns, dating from 1784. Within the documents, there are approximately 36 different pieces of verse by Burns, including poems, ballads, and songs. The correspondence, often containing lines of verse, primarily consists of one to two letters from Burns to patrons and friends including Robert Cleghorn, Frances Anna Dunlop, Robert Muir, John Richmond, and Burns's printer William Creech. In addition there are also a few later letters consisting of a letter from Burns's brother Gilbert Burns to "Dobie," a letter from painter Alexander Nasmyth to William Cribb, and a letter from Jean Jeffrey Renwick to Henry Brevoort.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. His first volume of poems, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish dialect, was published in 1786.

Acquisition information:
The collection was assembled from various sources, including: HM 2584, acquired from H.V. Jones, December 1918 (no. 256) HM 7394, received as part of the Gable Collection. HM 13029 and HM 13031, purchased by Henry E. Huntington from William K. Bixby through the Anderson Galleries (Sale 1280, Lots 588 and 589), February 1917. HM 13036-13039, acquired from William K. Bixby, date unknown. HM 13061, acquired from the collection of Henry G. Bohn. HM 34699, acquired from G. D. Smith.
Processing information:

  • HM 16300, removed from the Geddes Burns (Call number: 151851).
  • HM 13051, 13053-6, and 13058 were originally bound together as a volume of Burns manuscripts and disbound by Huntington Library staff in November 1971.

Arrangement:

The collection consists of material organized in the following 2 series:

  • Manuscripts
  • Correspondence

Items listed in the finding aid are chiefly housed in individual folders in 1 box, with 18 items separately housed in decorative gilt leather volumes or pull-off cases.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Poets, Scottish -- 18th century.
Letters (correspondence) -- Scotland -- 18th century.
Poems -- Scotland -- 18th century -- Archives.
Songs -- Scotland -- 18th century.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Items are available with curatorial approval. Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Robert Burns Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website
Collection
Contents
Manuscripts
Arrangement:

Items arranged alphabetically by author, and then alphabetically by title.

Related material:

See the correspondence section in this finding aid for letters within the collection that contain verse:

  • "Behold my love, how green the groves…" in Burns, Robert. Letter to Lady Mary Douglas. 1795 May 2. (HM 2584)
  • "Elegy on Captain Matthew Henderson" in Burns, Robert. Letter to Robert Cleghorn. 1790 July 23, (HM 13054.)
  • "The Humble petition of Bruar Water to the noble Duke of Athole." In Burns, Robert. Letter to Josiah Walker. 1787 September 5. (HM 13027)
  • "Lassie wi' the lint-white locks, …" [Burns, Robert]. Letter to [Alexander Findlater?] [1794 September]. (HM 13057)
  • "My Chloris, mark how green the groves, …" in Burns, Robert. Letter to Lady Mary Douglas. 1795 May 2. (HM 13042)
  • "The Wedding Day, A Song, Tune, The Seventh of Nov." in Burns, Robert. Letter to [Robert Riddell]. [1788 September 16]. (HM 13034)
  • "Why should na poor people mow." Burns, Robert. Letter to Robert Cleghorn. 1792 December 12. (HM 34699)

Background

Arrangement:

Items arranged alphabetically by author, and then alphabetically by title.

Contents
[Burns, Robert]. "A down winding 'Nith I did wander …", [1793]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Song titled: "Song-Tune, Geordie's byre." Annotation of explanation in the author’s hand at the end of the song. "To Miss Phillis McMurdo--with the Bard's most respectful Complnts."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Song titled: "Song-Tune, Geordie's byre." Annotation of explanation in the author’s hand at the end of the song. "To Miss Phillis McMurdo--with the Bard's most respectful Complnts."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. Epithalamium [a poem] and Epitaph for H… L… Esqr. Of L…, Hic jacet wee Johnie Wilson, and Hic jacet Johannes Fusius, … [three epitaphs]., [c. 1800?]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A forgery?

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A forgery?

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Excise. 87th Year, 1st Q[uarte]r 1793. Dumfries Collection & District, D 1st Division, 2d Round Abstract., 1793
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.D.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.D.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. "The friend who wild from Wisdom's way…", [after 1793]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

A poem of two quatrains. Addressed to "Mr. S. McKenzie."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A poem of two quatrains. Addressed to "Mr. S. McKenzie."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 1 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "Fy, let us a' to Kirk-t, …", [1795]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Incomplete: only line 1-28 of The Heron Ballad [Ballad II], titled "A Ballad-Tune, Fy let us a' to the bridal."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Incomplete: only line 1-28 of The Heron Ballad [Ballad II], titled "A Ballad-Tune, Fy let us a' to the bridal."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 1 p.
[Burns, Robert]. Glenriddel Hermitage, June 28th 1788., [1789]
Containers:
Case
Scope and content:

A poem.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A poem.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "And I'll kiss thee yet, yet …", [1788-1789?]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Two songs: "And I'll Kiss thee yet, yet …" titled "Tune--Brae's o' Balquidder," with "Green sleeves and tartan ties …" on verso.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Two songs: "And I'll Kiss thee yet, yet …" titled "Tune--Brae's o' Balquidder," with "Green sleeves and tartan ties …" on verso.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. The Kirk's Alarm--A Ballad -- Tune, Push about the brisk bowl., [1789 July-August]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Annotations of explanation and corrections in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Annotations of explanation and corrections in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 3 p.
[Burns, Robert]. [Lament for James, Earl of Glencairn]., [between 1791 January and 1791 October]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

An elegy; missing the first two verses. Corrections in author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

An elegy; missing the first two verses. Corrections in author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "The last time I came o'er the moore…", [1793?]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

A song in three verses. Corrections in the author's hand. On the verso: "Acct. of Books Bot. in to the Mankland Society's Library."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A song in three verses. Corrections in the author's hand. On the verso: "Acct. of Books Bot. in to the Mankland Society's Library."

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "No Churchman am I for to rail and to write …" A Song., [1783-1784]
Containers:
Volume
Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13037-13039.

Titled "Tune--Prepare, my dear brethren, to the tavern let's fly." With annotations of explanation in author's hand. Author's signature pasted on verso by James Portes; also history of manuscript given on verso by Portes.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13037-13039.

Titled "Tune--Prepare, my dear brethren, to the tavern let's fly." With annotations of explanation in author's hand. Author's signature pasted on verso by James Portes; also history of manuscript given on verso by Portes.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. On a Scotch Bard, gone to the West Indies., [1786 after April]
Containers:
Box 1
Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. On Captn. Grose's present peregrination through Scotland collecting the Antiquities of that Kingdom., [after 1789 April]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

A poem with corrections in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A poem with corrections in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. On Mr. Pit's Hair-Powder Tax., [1795]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13024. A poem of four lines concerning the hair-powder excise tax begun under the prime-ministership of William Pitt.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13024. A poem of four lines concerning the hair-powder excise tax begun under the prime-ministership of William Pitt.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 1 p.
[Burns, Robert]. To Miss Jeany Cruikshank, a very young lady only child of Mr. Cruikshank of the High School- Edinr. Written on the blank of a Song-book presented to the young lady by Mr. B--.
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A poem beginning "Beauteous Rosebud young & gay,…"

Background

Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A poem beginning "Beauteous Rosebud young & gay,…"

[Burns, Robert]. To Miss Susan Logan Park[house]--With Beattie's Poems., 1787 January 1.
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Edinburgh, [Scotland].
Bound with HM 13022-HM 13025. A poem of three quatrains.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Edinburgh, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.Ms. 1 p.
[Burns, Robert]. To Mr. McMurdo, with a Pound of Lundiefoot Snuff., [1789]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A poem of two quatrains. Addressed to: "John McMurdo Esq.--with a parcel."

Physical description:
A.Ms.S. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

With HM 13021-13025. A poem of two quatrains. Addressed to: "John McMurdo Esq.--with a parcel."

Physical description:
A.Ms.S. 1 p.
[Burns, Robert]. To Mrs. Mc-- Alias Clarinda [with On Scaring Some Water-Fowl in Loch Turit]., [1787-1788]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

2 poems. The poem "To Mrs. Mc---" is signed "Sylvander." The poem "On Scaring Some Water-Fowl …" is incomplete and includes only the last 16 lines.

Physical description:
A.Ms.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

2 poems. The poem "To Mrs. Mc---" is signed "Sylvander." The poem "On Scaring Some Water-Fowl …" is incomplete and includes only the last 16 lines.

Physical description:
A.Ms.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. Queen Mary's Lament., [1791?]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

A poem.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A poem.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 3 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "Their groves o' sweet myrtles let Foreign Lands reckon …", [1795]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Consists of two songs titled "Song--Tune, Humors of glen" (beginning "Their groves o' sweet myrtles …") and Johnie B---'s lament-Tune The babes o' the wood" (beginning 'Twas in the seventeen hunder year…")

Physical description:
A.M.S. 4 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Consists of two songs titled "Song--Tune, Humors of glen" (beginning "Their groves o' sweet myrtles …") and Johnie B---'s lament-Tune The babes o' the wood" (beginning 'Twas in the seventeen hunder year…")

Physical description:
A.M.S. 4 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "There was an auld man and he has a bad wife …", [before 1792]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

This is either an early version of "Kelly Burn Braes" or a traditional ballad.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

This is either an early version of "Kelly Burn Braes" or a traditional ballad.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "Thou lingering star with lessening ray …", [1789 approximately November]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

A song; with annotation in unknown hand: "Song-addressed to Mary in Heaven--!!!"

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A song; with annotation in unknown hand: "Song-addressed to Mary in Heaven--!!!"

Physical description:
A.Ms. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. "'Twas where the birch and sounding thong are ply'd …", [before 1796 July]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

A poem titled "A Tale," with corrections in the author's hand and annotations in pencil in an unknown hand at the end.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

A poem titled "A Tale," with corrections in the author's hand and annotations in pencil in an unknown hand at the end.

Physical description:
A.M.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. The Whistle--A Ballad--[and] The Prose Story of the Whistle., [1791?]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

With annotations of explanation in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 4 pp.

Background

Scope and content:

With annotations of explanation in the author's hand.

Physical description:
A.Ms. 4 pp.
Correspondence
Arrangement:

Items arranged alphabetically by author and then by recipient and date.

Background

Arrangement:

Items arranged alphabetically by author and then by recipient and date.

Contents
Burns, Gilbert. Letter to Dobie., 1825 October 13.
Containers:
Volume
Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13039.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13039.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Robert Cleghorn., 1790 July 23.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].
Includes "Elegy on Captain Matthew Henderson."

Physical description:
A.L.S. 7 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 7 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Robert Cleghorn., 1792 December 12
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Sanquhar, [Scotland].
Includes verse "Why should na poor people mow."

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Sanquhar, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Helen Craik., 1790 August 9
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to William Creech., [1793] February 28.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 1 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to [William Creech]., [1795] May 30
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].
Includes 17 epigrams and a song titled "A Song. -- Tune, My lodging is on the cold ground, beginning "My Chloris, mark how green the groves, …"

Physical description:
A.L.S. 8 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 8 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Lady Mary Douglas., 1795 May 2.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].
Includes a "Scotish Song--Tune, My lodging is on the cold ground" beginning "Behold my love, how green the groves…"

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to William Douglas, 4th Duke of Queensberry., 1791 September 24.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to [Frances Anna Wallace] Dunlop., 1792 September 24.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].
Annotation in unknown hand.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
[Burns, Robert]. Letter to [Alexander Findlater?], [1794 September]
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Incomplete. Includes a portion of a song, "Lassie wi' the lint-white locks, …"

Physical description:
A.L. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Incomplete. Includes a portion of a song, "Lassie wi' the lint-white locks, …"

Physical description:
A.L. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to John Geddes., 1789 February 3
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].
Removed from Poems, chiefly in the Scottish dialect ("The Geddes Burns") [1787], (Call number: 151851).

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. To [Margaret (Chalmers) Hay?]., [1787 January].
Containers:
Volume
Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13039. Addressed to "My Dr. Countrywoman."

Physical description:
A.L. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13039. Addressed to "My Dr. Countrywoman."

Physical description:
A.L. 1 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to John McMurdo, [1793 July?]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Robert Muir., 1786 March 20.
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Mossgiel.
Signed: "Robt. Burness"

Physical description:
A.L.S. 1 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Mossgiel.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 1 p.
Burns Robert. Letter to John Richmond., 1786 July 30.
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Old Rome, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Old Rome, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to [John Richmond]., 1787 October 25
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Edinburgh, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Edinburgh, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to [Robert Riddell]., [1788 September 16]
Containers:
Pull-off case
Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].
Includes "The Wedding Day, A Song, Tune, The Seventh of Nov." (the last two lines added later in pencil by an unknown hand).

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Ellisland, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.
[Burns, Robert]. Letter to Charles Sharp., 1791 April 22.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].
Signed Johnie Faa. With an 1896 printed broadside: Johnston, J. "A Song for Burns's Birthday." Bolton, Jan. 25th, 1896.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Dumfries, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
Burns, Robert. Letter to Josiah Walker., 1787 September 5
Containers:
Case
Scope and content:

Inverness, [Scotland].
Includes the poem: "The Humble petition of Bruar Water to the noble Duke of Athole."

Physical description:
A.L.S. 7 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Inverness, [Scotland].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 7 p.
Renwick, Jean Jeffrey. To Henry Brevoort., 1836 May 13.
Containers:
Volume
Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13038.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.

Background

Scope and content:

Pasted on sheet in bound volume with HM 13036-13038.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 3 p.
Nasmyth, Alexander. Letter to William Cribb., 1829 August 23.
Containers:
Box 1
Scope and content:

London, [England].
Letter gives an account of the author's walk and breakfast with Robert Burns in 1787.

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.

Background

Scope and content:

London, [England].

Physical description:
A.L.S. 2 p.