Robert Burns and the United States of America

This book provides a critical study of the relationship between Robert Burns and the United States of America, c.1786-1866. Though Burns is commonly referred to as Scotland's National Poet, his works were frequently reprinted in New York and Philadelphia; his verse mimicked by an emerging canon of American poets; and his songs appropriated by both abolitionists and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War era. Adopting a transnational, Atlantic Studies perspective that shifts emphasis from Burns as national poet to transnational icon, this book charts the reception, dissemination and cultural memory of Burns and his works in the United States up to 1866.

Highlights the relevance of the nation in transatlantic studies Explores the complexity of Anglophone literary relations in a nineteenth-century Atlantic context Contributes to transatlantic studies, transnational studies, American studies, and reception studies

Autorentext

Arun Sood is Lecturer in English at the University of Plymouth, UK. Previously, he has taught and studied at the universities of Georgetown (US), Glasgow (UK), Amsterdam (NL) and Aberdeen (UK).

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Thy harp, Columbia: Burns's American Works, c.1784-1794.- 3. Tho' I to foreign lands: Burns's Poetry in America, c.1786-1801.- 4. On Western Ground: American Print Editions, c.1801-1859.- 5. On Western Ground: American Print Editions, c.1801-1859.- 6. The West winds: Burns and American Cultural Memory, c.1800-1866.- 7. The Burnsian Palimpsest and 1859 Centenary Celebrations.- 8. Afterword: The (Trans)National Poet.