Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Burrant, Robert
BURRANT, ROBERT (fl. 1553), translator, is spoken of by Tanner as either an Englishman or a Scotchman. It is, however, evident from his preface to Sir D. Lindsay's poem (see below) that he was an Englishman, and that he was strongly attached to the reformed doctrines. Nor does there seem any reason for giving 'Burtant' as an alternative form of his name, or doubting, as Tanner does, whether he was the author of both the works mentioned in his article. These are: 1. An edition of Sir David Lindsay's 'Tragical Death of Dauid Beatō, Bishoppe of soinct Andrewes in Scotland; whereunto is joyned the martyrdom of Maister George Wyseharte, gentleman . . . for the blessed Gospels sake,' printed by J. Day and W. Serres, n. d. This extremely rare volume is in the Grenville Library in the British Museum. It contains a long preface from 'Roberte Burrante to the Reader,' in which, after twenty pages on the judgments of God against evil-doers, he speaks of Beaton's enmity against the gospel and against England, of his habit of swearing, and of his condemnation of Wishart on 31 March 1546. 2. A translation of the 'Preceptes of Cato, with annotacions of D. Erasmus of Roterodame, very profitable for all menne,' dedicated to Sir Thomas Caverden, knt., and printed by R. Grafton, 1553. In a second preface to the reader Burrant says that nothing was wanting 'in this Cato to the perfeccion of Christes religion, sauying the hope and faithe that a Christian man ought to haue.'
[Tanner's Bibl. Brit. 143; Burrant's works as above.]