Robert Burns Memorial (Montreal) facts for kids
| Monument à Robert Burns | |
View from western side of the Square. Tribute to Robert Burns in the foreground, Boer War Memorial in behind and the Sun Life Building in the background
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 Location in Montreal
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| Coordinates | 45°29′58.3296″N 73°34′17.1084″W / 45.499536000°N 73.571419000°W |
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| Location | Dorchester Square |
| Designer | George Anderson Lawson |
| Material | bronze, pink granite |
| Height | 4.95 metres (16.2 ft) |
| Opening date | October 18, 1930 |
| Dedicated to | Robert Burns |
The Robert Burns Memorial (French: Monument à Robert Burns) is a statue in Dorchester Square in Downtown Montreal. It was made by sculptor George Anderson Lawson. This monument honors the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.
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What is the Robert Burns Memorial?
This memorial celebrates the Scottish poet Robert Burns. It was built to honor the important Scottish business people and bankers in Montreal. The statue shows the community's values during the High Victorian Era. These values included caring about society and having a refined taste.
Where is the Statue Located?
The memorial stands at the western entrance of Dorchester Square. Burns looks out towards Western Canada. This direction represents the vast lands that were opened up by railways and finance. These were managed by the city's leading families.
How Does the Statue Look?
The statue is a copy of one found in Ayr, Scotland. Ayr is close to where Robert Burns was born. Many people think the Ayr statue is one of the best images of Scotland's national poet.
The statue has a light pink stone base, called a plinth. On top of this plinth stands a bronze statue of Burns. His right foot is slightly forward. His right arm is almost crossed over his left arm on his chest.
The front of the plinth says "Erected by admirers of Burns." It also shows his name and the years he lived. The plinth has a special message carved into it: "It's comin' yet for a' that that man to man the world o'er shall brithers be for a' that." This means that one day, all people will be like brothers.
Around the plinth, you can see carvings of scenes from his poems. These include Tam O'Shanter (from 1790), To a mountain daisy (from 1786), and The cotter's Friday night (from 1785).
When Was the Memorial Unveiled?
The memorial was officially shown to the public on October 18, 1930. It was a cold and rainy day in downtown Montreal's Dominion Square. During the speeches that day, people said the statue honored Burns's amazing talent. They also wanted to remember how much Scots helped Montreal grow.
Restoration of Dorchester Square
On July 8, 2009, a big project began to restore Dorchester Square and Place du Canada. Workers started by digging the first shovelful of dirt near the Boer War Memorial. This restoration project cost $23 million.
Other Robert Burns Memorials
The original memorial by George Anderson Lawson was first shown in Ayr, Scotland, in 1892. Copies of Lawson's memorial were also put up in other cities around the world:
- Melbourne, Australia, on January 23, 1904.
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1919.
- Detroit, USA, on July 23, 1921.
- Vancouver, Canada, on August 25, 1928.
- Winnipeg, Canada, in 1936.
Images for kids
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View from western side of the Square. Tribute to Robert Burns in the foreground, Boer War Memorial in behind and the Sun Life Building in the background
