Alexander Cunningham (lawyer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexander Cunningham
Punch bowl given to Alexander Cunningham by Jean Armour Burns
Born	Circa 1763
Died	1812 Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh
Occupation	Lawyer or Writer

Alexander Cunningham was a very close friend of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. They wrote many letters to each other. After Burns died, Cunningham helped raise money for Burns's family. Burns also trusted Cunningham's opinion on his poems.

Who Was Alexander Cunningham?

Alexander was the oldest son of James Cunningham. His family lived near Ettrickbridge in Scotland. His uncle was a famous historian named William Robertson.

Early Life and Career

Alexander Cunningham worked as a lawyer in Edinburgh. He was part of a social group called the Crochallan Fencibles. This is where he met Robert Burns. They also met at Masonic meetings in Edinburgh.

When he was a student, Alexander lived in St James's Square in Edinburgh. Some of his neighbors were also friends with Robert Burns. These included George Thomson, a music publisher, and Robert Ainslie, another lawyer.

In 1798, Alexander became a Writer to the Signet. This was a type of lawyer. Later, he worked with his uncle Patrick Robertson as a jeweller.

Family Life and Legacy

In 1792, Alexander married Agnes Moir. They had two sons together. Through his wife, he inherited part of a valuable estate in South Carolina.

Alexander Cunningham passed away in 1812. He was buried in the Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. Today, the San Antonio Museum of Art in Texas has a portrait of Alexander Cunningham. It was painted by the famous artist Henry Raeburn.

Friendship with Robert Burns

Robert Burns likely met Alexander Cunningham at Masonic meetings in Edinburgh. Alexander was one of the people who bought a copy of Burns's book, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect (Edinburgh Edition).

The philosopher Dugald Stewart noted that Burns spent time with people like Cunningham. These friends were respected, but not famous writers themselves. Robert Ainslie, who was also training to be a lawyer, was a close friend to both Cunningham and Burns.

Burns's Valued Friend

Burns often sent his poems and songs to Cunningham. He asked for Cunningham's honest thoughts on his work. For example, he sent a version of "The Banks o'Doon" in 1791. He also sent "A red red Rose" in 1794. These poems usually came with letters.

In 1788, Burns wrote a special poem about Cunningham:

Alexander Cunningham also helped Burns in other ways. In 1792, he suggested Burns's name for the Royal Company of Archers. This was probably because Burns helped capture a ship carrying illegal goods.

Helping Burns's Career

In 1792, George Thomson planned his Select Collection of Scottish Airs. He asked Cunningham to help get Robert Burns to contribute. Cunningham sent a letter of introduction to Burns, and it worked! Burns agreed to help.

Even after Burns moved to Dumfries, their friendship continued. Burns's son, Robert Burns Junior, remembered barrels of oysters arriving at their home. These were gifts from friends like Cunningham.

Burns had planned to name his next son 'Alexander Cunningham Burns'. However, his wife, Jean Armour Burns, named their son 'Maxwell Burns' instead. This was after Dr Maxwell, who helped with the birth. Sadly, Maxwell died young.

Just before Burns passed away, he kept calling for Cunningham and John Syme. This shows how important they were to him.

The James Armour Punch Bowl

One special item connected to Burns is a punch bowl. It was a wedding gift in 1788 from James Armour to his daughter Jean and Robert Burns. James Armour, a stone-mason, carved the bowl himself.

In 1801, Jean Armour Burns gave the bowl to Alexander Cunningham. She was visiting Edinburgh at the time. Cunningham had the bowl fitted with a silver base and rim. On the rim, he had lines from Burns's poem "The Epistle to J. Lapraik" engraved.

After Alexander died in 1812, the bowl was sold. Today, a copy is at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The original bowl is in the British Museum in London.

Letters from Burns

Burns shared many personal thoughts with Cunningham in his letters. He wrote about his family life and his relationship with Jean. For example, he told Cunningham about his marriage. He also mentioned that only one of his four children was still alive.

In 1791, Cunningham helped Burns with a problem. Burns wrote many letters to defend his friend James Clarke. James was a schoolmaster accused of being too strict with students. He was later found innocent.

Burns sent some of his last songs to Cunningham. One was "Here's a Health to Ane I Lo'e Dear," sent just days before Burns died.

On July 27, 1788, Burns wrote to Cunningham about his first love:

In 1788, Burns wrote a strong letter to Cunningham. He spoke against people who were proud just because of their family name or wealth. He said that everyone, rich or poor, is born and dies the same way.

In 1789, Burns sent Cunningham a poem called "On Seeing a Wounded Hare limp by me, which a Fellow had just Shot." He wrote about how angry he was at the person who shot the hare. Burns felt it was wrong to hurt animals that don't harm us.

In 1790, Burns sent Cunningham a song called "There'll Never be Peace Till Jamie Comes Hame." He said that once political fights are over, historians and poets can write about them.

In 1789, Burns wrote to Cunningham about a friend's marriage. He said he felt for his "worthy much-esteemed friend."

In 1789, Cunningham sent Burns a gift: a six-volume set of Dr. Samuel Johnson's Lives of the Poets. Cunningham wrote that he admired Burns as a poet. He wished Burns happiness and success.

In 1792, Burns asked Cunningham for help with the case of James Clarke, the schoolmaster.

In 1793, Burns wrote to Cunningham about politics:

In July 1796, Burns wrote to Cunningham. He asked Cunningham, as a lawyer, to help him get his full salary. Burns was very ill and receiving sick pay.

Cunningham had sent Burns a kind and comforting letter. Burns was very thankful for it.

On July 7, 1796, Burns wrote from Brow Well. He told Cunningham how sick he was. He said he was pale, thin, and weak. Doctors told him his only chance was to bathe and stay in the countryside.

The song "Here's a Health to Ane I Lo'e Dear" was Burns's last letter to Cunningham. It was written on July 10, 1796. Burns died on July 21. Cunningham remained a loyal friend to Burns's memory and his family for many years.

Working with John Syme

Alexander Cunningham and John Syme exchanged about 90 letters. These letters were found in Cunningham's family records. They gave many interesting details about Robert Burns's life.

In 1797, Cunningham and Syme asked to borrow Burns's letters for a book. They wanted to publish them after Burns's death. However, Agnes Maclehose asked for her letters back. Robert Ainslie also insisted on their return. The letters were eventually returned.

Cunningham, John Syme, and James Currie helped raise money. This money was used to build a special tomb for Burns. Burns's body was moved there in 1815. Cunningham also helped get James Currie to write Burns's biography.

Cunningham wrote to John Syme about how disappointed he was. Many people who claimed to be Burns's friends did not donate money to the fund. Instead, they offered "cold civility and humiliating advice."

Images for kids

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  Kirkhope Kirk, Ettrickbridge.

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  The room in his home at Dumfries in which Robert Burns died

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  The Advertisement for the First Edinburgh Edition of 1787.

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  Brow hamlet and well

See also

• Robert Aiken
• Jean Armour
• John Ballantine
• Lesley Baillie
• Alison Begbie
• Nelly Blair
• Isabella Burns
• May Cameron
• Mary Campbell (Highland Mary)
• Jenny Clow
• Gavin Hamilton (lawyer)
• Helen Hyslop
• Nelly Kilpatrick
• Jessie Lewars
• Anne Rankine
• Isabella Steven
• Peggy Thompson