To Robert Burns
Immortal Scottish Bard-Ardent Freemason
Here in 1910, was erected by the Burns Club of Atlanta, Georgia, a building unique in the world—the only exact replica of the Burns cottage near Kirk Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, birthplace of the world’s most beloved poet, and “poet Laureate of Freemasonry.” The cornerstone of the cottage was laid in 1910, in due and ancient form, by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia, Free and Accepted Masons, in tribute to the memory of our great Scottish brother.
Burns was made a Freemason on July 4, 1781, at St. David’s Lodge, Tarbolton, Scotland. He was elected Depute Master of St. James’ Lodge July 27, 1784, and served until St. John’s Day of 1788. In 1786 he was elected to honorary membership in St. John’s Lodge No. 22, Kilmarnock, Scotland, and the minutes of that lodge recorded him as Robert Burns, Poet.
Freemasonry was the dominant influence in his life and many of his poems express in unmatched beauty and simplicity the ideals of Masonic Brotherhood.
Marker is on Alloway Place 0 miles north of Confederate Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
