Robert Burns & Bibliography

O‌n this page The Centre for Robert Burns Studies will provide news, updates, and content relating to the building of a new comprehensive bibliography of Robert Burns editions.

On 16 March 2017, we launched Craig Lamont's A Bibliography of Robert Burns for the 21st Century: 1786-1802. Funded by the AHRC project 'Editing Robert Burns for the 21st Century', this research helped strenghten the field, turning up new evidence about Burns's books, and strengthening our links with partner institutions. Following a Royal Society of Edinburgh Small Grant, the research was expanded, allowing consultations in other UK and North American libraries. The new version was launched at the Mitchell Library on 18 September 2018. You can download it below: 

A Bibliography of Robert Burns for the 21st Century: 1786-1802

This is the beginning of what we hope is a newfound interest in establishing a comprehensive bibliography of Robert Burns fit for the digital age.   

More information

Bibliography contents guide

This is the beginning of what we hope is a long-term project in establishing a comprehensive bibliography of Robert Burns fit for the digital age. The present bibliography accounts for 76 editions containing Robert Burns material in chronological order, including the foundational 'Kilmarnock Edition' (1786), the Irish, English, and American editions, as well as chapbooks, broadsides, and rare appearances in other writers' books. The main focus of the work is the contents of each item. Rather than list these 76 editions, the present bibliography describes the titles of poems, songs, letters, and miscelleanous fragments contained in each. Building on the work of J. W. Egerer (1964), whose focus was on the 'first appearance' of Burns material, the work is aimed at both specialist and general readers with the intention of spreading a wider understanding of Burns's works. Going forward, it is hoped that the years beyond 1802 can be accounted for, and that many more types of print (such as newspapers) can be investigated.