Pride and Passion: Robert Burns, 1759-1796

This work turns the familiar story of Scotland’s beloved poet on its head, abandoning a straight‑line chronology in favor of the everyday interactions that most clearly reveal his character. By concentrating on the well‑documented years of his adult life, the author lets the poet’s own letters, verses, and the correspondence of his closest friends speak for themselves, sidestepping the myths and moralizing that often cloud traditional biographies.

Drawing on newly authenticated documents—ranging from legal papers to intimate missives—the narrative paints a vivid portrait of a man driven by both pride and passion. Listeners will hear how Burns’s relationships with figures like Robert Muir and Margaret Chalmers shaped his thoughts and work, offering a richer, more nuanced understanding of the man behind the celebrated verses.