An 1855 illustration by John Faed of Tam O’Shanter, a character from the Robert Burns poem of the same name

Tam o' Shanter, a farmer who often went drinking with his friends, is a character in a Robert Burns poem of the same name. This illustration of Tam by Scottish painter John Faed (1819 to 1902) captures the excitement, fear and humour in Burns's poetry. Burns may have based the character of Tam o' Shanter on Douglas Graham (1739–1811) who lived at Shanter Farm near Kirkoswald in South Ayrshire. The poem is one of Burns's most popular, making Tam an icon of Scottish culture. The dramatic narrative and vivid descriptions of witches and warlocks have inspired generations of artists.

An 1855 illustration by John Faed of Tam O’Shanter, a character from the Robert Burns poem of the same name.jpg
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Tam o' Shanter, a farmer who often went drinking with his friends, is a character in a Robert Burns poem of the same name. This illustration of Tam by Scottish painter John Faed (1819 to 1902) captures the excitement, fear and humour in Burns's poetry. Burns may have based the character of Tam o' S