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Edited
by Frank R. Shaw, FSA Scot, Dawsonville, GA, USA
Email:
jurascot@earthlink.net
This following article
appeared in the Winter 2012 issue of the Burns Chronicle, a
publication of The Robert Burns World Federation. It was written by editor
Bill Dawson and relates to our web site Robert Burns Lives!. I wish
to extend my thanks to each contributor over the years for their help in
making our site what it is today. It is always a surprise to be reading a
journal, turn a page, and there suddenly is an article concerning your
efforts. Bill wrote in a recent email that “certainly (the) Chronicle
endorses RBL! as I always have myself.” The first Burns Chronicle and
Club Directory was published on 25 January 1892.
I am grateful for the kind
remarks, and thus their article becomes Chapter 162 on Robert Burns
Lives!.
Robert Burns Lives!
Publishes its 150th Chapter
www.electricscotland.com/familytree/frank/burns.htm
When Frank Shaw started his
column, Robert Burns Lives! (always with the exclamation mark) it was
printed in “The Family Tree”, a publication out of Moultrie, Georgia with a
circulation of just over 75,000. He set out his aim. “It will be an
Introduction to Robert Burns 101” and he has not lost that view on his
readership. Albeit there have been a few significant changes: Firstly “The
Family Tree” ceased publication, a tragedy for all of us who love the
printed page, but an opportunity for Frank as he transferred his column to
the web site “Electric Scotland”. I knew about Electric Scotland long
before I knew Frank. It is aimed mainly at expat Scots or those of Scots
descent outwith Scotland, but it has long had a following at home in
Scotland for those who love the traditions of being Scottish. It was
therefore a natural home for Frank and “Robert Burns Lives!” and provided
the benefit of a vastly increased circulation and ease of further outside
access.
The second influence on RBL!
was the fortunate involvement of Prof G Ross Roy, contributing from the
earliest stages with an article in Chapter 6. I say this is a fortunate
involvement, but it is no great surprise that Frank had quickly found Ross
and appreciated that he could make valuable contributions to his column.
From there he could see what value can be added to a site such as RBL! by
those working at the more academic edge of Robert Burns. That is very
typical of Frank’s astute and sharp perception of what it is all about - he
can see what the big picture is and he knows who to go to in order to get
the fine brush strokes defined. That is not to say that he does not have a
discerning eye himself; his introductory paragraphs to his various chapters
often have a similarly valuable take on the subject under examination, but
he is so much the southern gentleman that one might take him for a simple
layman as he described himself in Chapter one. Gentleman he certainly is,
but it is also certain he knows how to get the job done and he has built his
site on effort that he has applied on a daily basis, chasing every slight
lead that may give him a chapter, and not being afraid to approach anyone
who has published to seek their contribution to RBL! or an opinion for a
future chapter. This drive has enabled his column to number among its
contributors all the best brains and thoughts working on Burns today. RBL!
is probably the premier exchange of fresh thinking in the Burns world today,
certainly if there is a bright idea, it will not be long before Frank
publishes it. He credits this to the input of Prof G Ross Roy, and no doubt
he has been the catalyst that has propelled Frank up to the level of Burns
expertise that few reach in their lifetime. It is therefore exceptionally
fitting that the 150th chapter in “Robert Burns Lives!” is
written by the Chairman of the Bard, Prof G Ross Roy. Frank’s list of
correspondents and contributors may have moved on beyond his initial concept
for his column, but his growing readership is still very much with him and
appreciate his approach to giving us all the benefit of “Burns 101” and the
extra benefit of the best Burns research of the day, and as soon as it is
published. We all look forward to RBL! achieving further milestones in its
development.
I have the very good fortune
to count Frank and Susan as sincere friends. On more than one occasion I
have enjoyed their company and hospitality and I look forward to our ongoing
friendship. I enjoy visiting Robert Burns Lives! although I admit not
as often as I might, and I encourage all enthusiasts to keep an eye on the
site as this is where the really good stuff sees the light. As editor of a
hardcopy four-monthly periodical I am quite envious of the medium of putting
articles of quality in front of the readership at the click of the mouse.
Best wishes to Frank, Susan and Robert Burns Lives! for a further 150
chapters.
Bill Dawson
Editor, Burns Chronicle |
