Born Alloway, Ayrshire. Wrote in the Scots language, and also in a Scots dialect which is accessible to English speakers. Also collected traditional songs. Scots the world over celebrate his birth by attending a Burns Supper on his birthday. These events are ritualised with bagpipes, toasts, readings, dancing and lots of whisky. Works include: Auld Lang Syne, Scots Wha Hae, A Red Red Rose, To a Mouse. Died Dumfries.
The Selkirk Grace:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
and some wad eat that want it,
but we hae meat and we can eat,
and sae the Lord be thankit.
The Scotsman found 6 statues world-wide plus a monument and a replica cottage.
