William Burnes | |
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Born | 11 November 1721 Dunnottar, Kincardineshire, Scotland |
Died | 13 February 1784 Lochlea, South Ayrshire, Scotland | (aged 62)
Occupation(s) | Gardener and farmer |
Spouse | Agnes Broun |
Children | 7, including Robert, Gilbert, Agnes, and Isabella |
Relatives | Robert Burnes (brother) |
William Burnes or William Burness (11 November 1721 – 13 February 1784) was the father of the poet Robert Burns. He was born at either Upper Kinmonth[1] or Clochnahill Farm, Dunnottar, Kincardineshire, and trained as a gardener at Inverugie Castle, Aberdeenshire, before moving to Ayrshire and becoming a tenant farmer. His parents were Robert Burnes and Isabella Keith.[2] He retained the spelling 'Burnes' throughout his life; however, his son favoured the Ayrshire spelling of 'Burns'.[3]