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Burns Timeline
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BORN 25 JAN 1759, Alloway Ayrshire 1750 The poet's father, William Burnes (born in Kincardineshire, 1721) settles in Ayrshire as a 7-acre tenant at Alloway.

1757 William Burnes marries Agnes Broun of Maybole (1732-1820).

1759 25 January. Robert Burns born at Alloway.

1766 William Burnes moves to Mount Oliphant, a 70-acre farm near Alloway.

1777 William Burnes moves to Lochlie, Tarbolton, a 130-acre farm on the north bank of the Ayr.

1780 The Tarbolton Bachelors' Club founded.

1781 Burns works as a flax-dresser in Irvine.

1782 Burns returns to Lochlie after the burning of the Irvine shop.

1784 William Burnes dies. Robert moves to Mossgiel.

1785 22 May. Birth of Elizabeth, Burns' daughter by his mother's servant-girl Betty Paton.

* Burns meets Jean Armour.

1786 Kilmarnock Poems published.

* Burns' affair with Jean Armour begins.

* Burns repudiated by Jean's father.

* Plans emigration to Jamaica.

* Jean gives birth to twins, Robert and Jean.

1787 Poems published by William Creech.

* First volume of James Johnson's Scots Musical Museum published.

1788 Second volume of The Scots Musical Museum published.

* Burns returns to Ayrshire and Jean Armour.

* Twins born to Jean Armour.

* Burns commissioned as an exciseman.

1789 Burns' son Francis Wallace born.

* Burns begins work in the Excise.

1790 Third volume of The Scots Musical Museum published.

* Riding 200 miles a week on excise duties taking its toll on Burns' health.

* Tam o' Shanter completed.

1791 Burns' daughter Elizabeth born to Anne Park, Dumfries. * Burns' son William Nicol born at Ellisland.

* Burns renounces the lease of Ellisland in favour of full-time excise work.

* Burns goes to Edinburgh, and says farewell to Clarinda.

1792 Burns appointed to the Dumfries Port division of excise.

* Fourth volume of The Scots Musical Museum published; sixty of the hundred songs written or communicated with some revision by Burns.

* Burns agrees to contribute to George Thomson's Select Collection of Original Scotish Airs (1793-1818).

* Burns' daughter Elizabeth Riddell born.

* Burns accused of political disaffection during revolutionary commotion in Dumfries.

1793 Second Edinburgh edition of Poems.

* First set of Thomson's Select Collection published.

* Burns moves to Mill Vennel, Dumfries.

1794 Burns' son James Glencairn born.

* Burns appointed acting supervisor of excise.

1795 Burns and Mrs. Dunlop estranged. Burns joins in organising the Dumfries Volunteers.

* Burns' daughter Elizabeth Riddell dies.

* Burns ill with rheumatic fever.

1796 Burns struggling in his last illness, to keep up a supply of songs for Thomson; vainly appeals to Thomson for a loan of £5 to meet a debt.

21 July Burns dies at Dumfries.

25 July Burns' funeral. His son Maxwell born.

December Fifth volume of The Scots Musical Muesum published.

DIED 29 JULY 1796 Dumfries :A Short Appreciation by Donny O'Rourke

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