Postcard of a colour tinted photograph of Burns House, Dumfries

"Burns' House, Dumfries". A coloured lithographic postcard of the house in which Robert Burns died in 1796.   It was in this ordinary sandstone house in a quiet back street of Dumfries that Robert Burns spent the last three years of his life. The family moved into the house in May 1793. The house had a parlour, kitchen, two bedrooms and even a small study where Burns could write. It was well furnished with a carpet and a long case clock in the parlour.   Robert Burns died here on 21 July 1796, although his wife, Jean Armour Burns continued to live in the house until her own death in 1834. The house was purchased in 1851 by their son, Colonel  William Nicol Burns and throughout the 19th Century it became a place of pilgrimage for Burns enthusiasts from around the world.   At the time this postcard was published a caretaker occupied the house, apart from the room in which the poet had died, which was set out as an exhibition of Burns relics. This view of Burns Street also shows the Industrial School building to the right of Burns House, with a bust of Robert Burns set into a niche in the wall.