In this comprehensive introduction to Robert Burns detailed commentary on the artistry and critical contexts of his work is complemented by material on the cultural reception and afterlife of this most iconic of world writers.

Dedication; Abbreviations; Brief Biography of Robert Burns; Introduction, Gerard Carruthers; 1. Burns and Publishing, Gerard Carruthers; 2. Burns and Women, Sarah Dunnigan; 3. Burns and the Rhetoric of Narrative, Kenneth Simpson; 4. Burns and the Poetics of Abolition, Nigel Leask; 5. Burns and Politics, Colin Kidd, 6. Burns's Songs and Poetic Craft, Kirsteen McCue; 7. Burns and Robert Fergusson, Rhona Brown; 8. Burns and Romantic Writing, Fiona Stafford; 9. Burns the Critic, Corey Andrews; 10. Burns, Scott and Intertextuality, Alison Lumsden; 11. Burns and Virgil, Steven R. McKenna; 12. Burns and Transnational Culture, Leith Davis; Notes; Further Reading; Notes on Contributors; Index.

Scrupulously academic ! A definitive survey of the present state of Burns Studies ! Taken together, these essays provide enormous stimulation for readers familiar with Burns, who will go back to the poems with new insights from every essay. What sets this collection apart from its predecessors is that many of these studies, taken individually, provide benchmark accounts to which teachers will send students as starting points for their own essays on particular aspects of Burns's work. -- Robert Irvine, University of Edinburgh The Byron Journal The Scotsman Books of the year: Writers' choice Readable, bite-sized, and fresh introductions to an admirably eclectic range of Burns-related topics. -- Christopher Whatley The Scotsman The Edinburgh Companion is a sprightly collection of new essays well edited by Gerard Curruthers ... This is an excellent volume, nicely produced ... and admirably presented. -- Bernard Beatty, Universities of Liverpool and St Andrews Scotia Scrupulously academic ! A definitive survey of the present state of Burns Studies ! Taken together, these essays provide enormous stimulation for readers familiar with Burns, who will go back to the poems with new insights from every essay. What sets this collection apart from its predecessors is that many of these studies, taken individually, provide benchmark accounts to which teachers will send students as starting points for their own essays on particular aspects of Burns's work. The Scotsman Books of the year: Writers' choice Readable, bite-sized, and fresh introductions to an admirably eclectic range of Burns-related topics. The Edinburgh Companion is a sprightly collection of new essays well edited by Gerard Curruthers ... This is an excellent volume, nicely produced ... and admirably presented.