Critisism On Robert Burns (1759-1796) Robert Burns was a Scottish poet, whose works are known and loved wherever the English language is read. He was born in Alloway, Ayreshire, January 25, 1759. He was the eldest of seven children born to William Burness, a struggling tentant farmer, and his wife, Agnes Broun. Although poverty limited his formal eduation, Burns read widely in English Literature and Bible and learned to read French. he was encouraged in his self-education by his father, and his mother aquainted him with scottish folk songs ....