Robert Tannahill, known for his poignant poetry and songs, had been struggling with deteriorating mental health in the months leading up to his death. Increasingly isolated and suffering from what would likely be recognised today as depression, Tannahill was burdened by both personal and professional challenges, including the rejection of his latest manuscript. These troubles culminated in a tragic series of events in May 1810.
On the 16th of May, 1810, Tannahill walked to Glasgow to visit his friend Alexander Borland. During their lengthy conversation, Borland noticed that Tannahill was increasingly incoherent, which raised his concern. To ensure his friend's safety, Borland accompanied him back to his home on Queen Street, Paisley. Realising the severity of the situation, Borland informed Tannahill's brothers, who lived in different parts of the town, about his worries concerning Robert’s mental state.
The following day, on the 17th of May, James and Matthew, Tannahill’s brothers, rushed to their mother’s house, only to find that Robert had already retired to bed. Although they were anxious, their mother reassured them, insisting that she would look after Robert, and encouraged them to return to their own homes.
That night, as the house grew quiet, Tannahill's mother unintentionally drifted off to sleep, only to awaken later to an unsettling noise. To her horror, she discovered Robert’s bed empty. Fearing the worst, she immediately summoned James, Matthew, and a family friend, Peter Burnet, to aid in the search for her missing son.
The search was frantic. Peter learned from an enquiry that a small man had been seen hurrying from Queen Street across George Street, heading westward. Suspecting the worst, he made his way to Brediland Road, where he tragically discovered Tannahill’s coat and silver watch near the culvert of the Candren Burn. Beneath the canal, Robert Tannahill’s lifeless body was found, a victim of what was later concluded to be suicide.
His body was brought back to the house on Queen Street, and Robert Tannahill was later buried in the family lair at the West Relief Churchyard in Paisley. The entire Tannahill family now rests together in the Castlehead graveyard. In 1886, a group of admirers, recognising Tannahill’s significant contributions to Scottish literature and music, erected a tombstone at his grave. The monument serves as a testament to the enduring impact of his work, which continues to resonate with generations long after his untimely death.
Tannahill's death shocked the Paisley community and the wider literary world. Despite the tragic end to his life, his legacy as a poet and songwriter has only grown over time. His works, filled with a deep understanding of human emotion and the beauty of nature, remain celebrated to this day.
Comments