Pride and Passion: Robert Burns, 1759-1796

The author investigates the personality and life of the Scottish poet Robert Burns by organizing material around his relationships and documented actions rather than a strict chronological narrative. Relying chiefly on authenticated primary sources—letters, poems, and contemporary correspondence—he reconstructs the poet's character in adulthood, evaluates social and literary contexts, and reassesses contested episodes using newly discovered documents. Oral tradition is treated cautiously and anecdote used sparingly. The study explains methodological choices, highlights later friendships and Dumfries years, and contrasts eighteenth-century influences with the poet's own voice to offer a focused portrait of temperament and public life.