A look at the woman behind a Scottish poet ahead of Robbie Burns Day

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – This Wednesday is Robbie Burns Day when we celebrate the life, works, and spirit of Scotland’s greatest poet.

Now, a new book is offering a fresh perspective on his legacy.

Melanie Murray is the author of Should Auld Acquaintance: The Woman Behind Robert Burns.

She says it’s about time history remembered the role of Jean Armour, the poet’s wife.

“She greatly assisted him in his central work which was collecting and revising all the old Scottish songs. I think she’s very much a collaborator in this work and I don’t think she’s really been acknowledged as such,” says Murray.

LISTEN: Anchor John Ackermann speaks with Melanie Murray

She says behind every great man, there is a great woman.

“Well, I might say she wasn’t his chief muse. Certainly, there’s about a half a dozen poems for Jean specifically but he always needed young, beautiful women to fire his quill, so to speak.”

Look for Should Auld Acquaintance: The Woman Behind Robert Burns in stores and online now.

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