Alexander Cunningham

Alexander Cunningham was one of Robert Burns's closest friends from his time in Edinburgh. They stayed in contact, through at least 19 letters from the poet; and Cunningham was the ardent admirer who encouraged and joined others such as John Syme to raise funds for the poet's family after his death. Cunningham was one of the small group of associates whom Burns actively approached for constructive criticism of his work. Life and character He was the eldest son of James Cunningham of Hyndhope near Ettrickbridge in the Borders, and the nephew of William Robertson the historian. He practised law in Edinburgh and was a member of the Crochallan Fencibles where he socialised with Burns having met him at Masonic meetings in Edinburgh. As a student he had lived at No.6, St James's Square in Edinburgh and his near neighbours were George Thomson the music publisher, John Beugo the engraver, Robert Ainslie the lawyer and Alexander Nasmyth the painter, all closely associated with Burns's career. In 1798 he became a Writer to the Signet, but later went into partnership with his uncle Patrick Robertson as a jeweller.