Lt Col James Glencairn Burns, fourth Son of the Poet

A mezzotint engraving of an earlier oil painting by William Menzies Tweedie, of one of Robert Burns' sons, in later life.   James Glencairn Burns, was the eighth child born to Robert Burns and his wife Jean Armour Burns and one of only three to survive into adult life. He was named after the poet's friend and patron, James Cunningham,  Earl of Glencairn.   Like his elder brother, Colonel William Nicol Burns, he saw service overseas in the East India Company where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed Judge and Collector at Cahar. On his retiral he lived in London and Cheltenham.   This mezzotint, made from an earlier oil portrait by William Menzies Tweedie was published in 1898 in the "Memorial Catalogue of the Burns Exhibition, 1896". This detailed the contents of the great exhibition of Burns material held in the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts in 1896 as part of the events which commemorated the centenary of the poet's death.