How many children did Robert Burns have? This is a question that often piques the interest of those fascinated by the life and works of Scotland’s national poet. Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was not only a renowned poet but also a farmer and a social revolutionary. Despite his many accomplishments, his personal life, particularly his family, has remained a topic of intrigue for many. Let’s delve into the details of his family life and uncover the number of children he had.
Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was the ninth child of William Burnes and Agnes Broun. Despite being born into a large family, Burns’ parents were not able to provide him with a formal education. However, his mother, Agnes, was a talented singer and poet, which may have sparked his interest in literature and the arts.
Burns’ first marriage was to Jean Armour, a close friend of his childhood. They were married on August 5, 1788, when Burns was 29 years old. Together, they had nine children, although not all of them survived to adulthood. Here is a list of their children:
1. Robert Burns Jr. (1789-1791): The first child of Robert and Jean, Robert Jr. passed away at a young age.
2. Agnes Burns (1790-1791): The second child, Agnes, also did not survive.
3. John Burns (1792-1792): John was the third child and also passed away shortly after birth.
4. James Burns (1793-1793): The fourth child, James, did not survive.
5. Andrew Burns (1794-1794): Andrew was the fifth child and also did not survive.
6. Jean Armour (1795-1879): The sixth child, Jean, was named after her mother and lived to adulthood.
7. William Burns (1796-1874): William was the seventh child and also lived to adulthood.
8. Agnes Burns (1798-1873): Agnes was the eighth child and lived to adulthood.
9. Elizabeth Burns (1799-1871): Elizabeth was the ninth and last child of Robert and Jean, and she too lived to adulthood.
In addition to his children with Jean Armour, Robert Burns also had a son with his common-law wife, Jean Aitken, whom he had known since childhood. Their son, Charles Robert Burns, was born on January 19, 1799. Unfortunately, Charles passed away at the age of 13 on January 27, 1812.
In conclusion, Robert Burns had a total of ten children, although only five of them survived to adulthood. Despite the challenges he faced in his personal life, Burns’ legacy as a poet and cultural icon endures to this day. His family, and the love he shared with them, continues to be a poignant aspect of his life story.
