Wreath Laying Ceremony at Burns Mausoleum
A monochrome photographic print of dignitaries assembled on the
date of the poet's birthday.
Robert Burns was originally buried in St Michael's Churchyard,
Dumfries, in a simple grave, marked only by a plain stone slab. In
1803 when Dorothy and William Wordsworth visited Dumfries they had
difficulty in even finding the grave. Burns' admirers came to
believe that this was an insufficient memorial to the poet.
In 1813 his friend, John Syme formed a committee and launched an
appeal to build a mausoleum in his memory. One of the subscribers
was the Prince Regent, later George IV. The mausoleum was completed
in September 1817.
The laying of wreaths at the mausoleum on the poet's birthday
was instigated by Dumfries Burns Club. This ceremony was observed
throughout the 19th century and formed part of the celebrations of
the first and second centenary of his birth. It is still an
important element of the rituals of Burns' birthday today.
Object no :
DMBN087n
Collection :
Creator :
Simon Reid [22 Castle Street, Dumfries]
Place of Production :
NA
Dimensions :
width: 152 mm, length: 200 mm
Materials :
paper
Location :
NA
Accession number :
Photograph, PEOPLE, Robert Burns / 30
Copyright :
Dumfries & Galloway Council
