New Brig Of Doon, With Burns Monument

A steel plate engraving from a painting by D O Hill RSA, of the village where Robert Burns was born.   Robert Burns was born at Alloway near Ayr on the 25th January 1759, the eldest of seven children of Agnes and William Burnes. His father was a market gardener, who having acquired a small holding of land, had built their cottage with its whitewashed clay walls and thatched roof with his own hands.   This view of Alloway shows the new bridge over the River Doon, the inspiration for Burns' song "The Banks O Doon". In the background on the north bank of the River Doon is the National Burns Monument. This was designed by Thomas Hamilton of Edinburgh in the Grecian style. It was inaugurated in 1823.   This view of Alloway was published in "The Land of Burns - A series of Landscapes and Portraits, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of the Scottish Poet". This was published in 1846 by Blackie and Son of Glasgow. At this time the development of steel plate engraving made  it possible for images to be reproduced in much greater numbers than previous printing technology had allowed. Books such as this one, illustrated by engravings of works by eminent artists became popular, although they were still expensive and beyond the pocket of most people.