Description
Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, dated Dumfries, 21 November 1794.
30 letters from Cunningham to John Syme, dated between 20th July,1796, and 5th May, 1797; letter from Earl of Buchan to Cunningham, dated "4th August, 1796"; portraits and illustrations and other papers.
One of a series of 30 letters between John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, collectively known as the Cunningham Collection.
The Edinburgh lawyer Alexander Cunningham (1763 - 1812) met Burns when he travelled to the Scottish capital. The two became live-long friends with much correspondence travelling between them. Following Burns's death, Cunningham led the effort to raise funds to support the remaining Burns family.
John Syme (1755 - 1831) was a Collector of Stamps in the Excise and became a friend of Burns when the family moved to Dumfries in 1791. He visited Burns at Brow Well on 15 July 1796 and again a few days later in Dumfries, where he was horrified at his friend's deteriorated condition. After Burns' death a few days later, Syme and Dr Maxwell organised his funeral. Syme also worked with Cunningham in raising money to help support Burns' widow Jean and remaining children.
