Robert Fergusson

The statue of the poet Robert Fergusson stands outside the entrance to Canongate Kirk. His grave is marked by a headstone commissioned by Robert Burns, who was a great admirer of Fergusson's work, when he discovered the grave was unmarked.

Following a fall in which he injured his head, Fergusson became insane and, as he was unable to work and support himself, was consigned to Bedlam, where he died at the age of 24.

His medical attendant, Dr Andrew Duncan, was so moved by the poet's plight that he resolved to fund a hospital in Edinburgh where the mentally ill could be humanely looked after, thus the Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum was built, opening in 1813. This is now the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.