A philanthropic Scots American, who was a friend, supporter, and benefactor of the College of Art’s Centre for Robert Burns Studies, has died.

Frank R Shaw, along with his wife Susan, gifted a series of donations to the centre which has been used to support the scholarship of Scotland’s national bard.

Mr Shaw passed away from cardiomyopathy at his home in America on April 21, 2023.

After learning of his Scottish ancestry, Mr Shaw became a member of the Clan Shaw Society, past president of the St Andrews's Society of Atlanta, and Burns Club of Atlanta.

He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a member of the business board of the Centre for Robert Burns Studies, home of the largest concentration of Burns experts in the world.

Mr Shaw’s greatest love of things Scottish was his research and writing of the country's history and Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns, which he was able to do from his library collection of over 5000 books. Mr Shaw also ran a website on Scotland’s national bard called Robert Burns Lives!

A statement from the Centre for Robert Burns Studies said: “Our condolences go across the Atlantic to Frank’s wife Susan, son Scott and family. Today we not only lost a dear friend but a great supporter of the Centre and its scholarship. Frank and his family’s huge generosity has helped support many younger scholars as well as advancing cutting-edge research in Robert Burns at Glasgow.

“But as well as being a great benefactor, he was a friend and collaborator who always recognised the importance of the scholarship on Scotland’s national bard at the University of Glasgow.”

 

Full Obituary 

Read Frank Shaw’s full obituary here.

First published: 26 April 2023

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