Lord Rosebery receiving wreaths at Burns Mausoleum

A monochrome photographic print of the events at Burns Mausoleum, Dumfries, on the first centenary of the poet's death in 1896.   The first centenary of Robert Burns death was marked on the 21st July 1896. The centenary of the poet's birth in 1859 had been a memorable occasion for the townspeople of Dumfries and the events to commemorate his death held in 1896 were no less imposing.   The organisers included Sir Robert Threshie Reid MP, later Lord Loreburn who was President of Dumfries Burns Club and the Earl of Rosebery. Joseph Johnstone Glover, the Provost of Dumfries was chairman of the organising committee. Lord Rosebery took a leading role in the days proceedings and delivered "a memorable oration on the Bard".   This photograph shows Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery receiving wreaths from Burns organisations and prominent individuals from all over the world at the poet's mausoleum in St Michael's Churchyard, Dumfries.