Robert Burns was a famous Scottish poet born in 1759 who came from a poor family but was inspired to succeed. He worked on his father's farm and had 14 children, though only 7 survived into adulthood. His first book of poems published in 1786 was surprisingly successful and allowed him to pursue poetry full time. Though his health deteriorated, he produced famous works like "To a Mouse" and influenced later authors. He brought freshness to poetry with works addressing Scottish cultural identity, sexuality, and poverty, and using satire and varying emotions in his writing.