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Portrait of Jean Armour Burns with Highland Mary Bible Given to Highland Mary “Clarinda” Bark Inscription Brow Well - Postcard Brow Well - Modern View Funeral Scene

'Burns Funeral, Head of the funeral procession passing into St Michael's Churchyard, Dumfries, 1796'

An etching by George Aikman RSA with remarque views of Robert Burns' birthplace at Alloway and the house where he died in Dumfries

Robert Burns died in Dumfries on 21 July 1796 at just 37 years old. The poet had been a respected and popular figure and his death brought a feeling of loss to the town. Preparations were made for a public funeral to honour him. As he was serving in the Dumfries Volunteers at the time of his death a military ceremony was arranged.

On Monday 25 July, a great crowd gathered to watch the funeral procession. His body had been instated in the Midsteeple and the procession made its way from there to St Michael's Churchyard, where his remains were buried. On the same day his wife, Jean Armour Burns gave birth to their youngest son, Maxwell.

This print shows the funeral procession as it enters the gates of St Michael's Churchyard. It was made by George Aikman RSA, possibly in 1896 as part of the commemorations of the centenary of Robert Burns' death.

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