Dolly Parton, who died on Tuesday 25 August at the age of 80, held a sweet connection with a Scots city and made her love for it known in a letter she penned back in 2023. The Jolene singer wrote to Dunfermline to mark the occasion of it receiving its city status and spoke of her proud link to its famous son, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
A Letter of Congratulations
Dolly wrote a letter to Dunfermline in February of 2023 from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, after Dunfermline was granted modern city status in May 2022. Her letter read: "I want to congratulate Dunfermline on becoming Scotland’s newest city! Scotland holds a special place in my heart and I wish I could be there in person to celebrate this wonderful recognition and our connection through Andrew Carnegie!"
Dolly, who famously sung 9-5, had been awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in New York in October 2022. Visit Dunfermline said they reached out to her. The Director of Visit Dunfermline Billy George told the Dunfermline Press: "The President of Dolly's wonderful charity 'The Dollywood Foundation', Jeff Conyers, was planning a visit to the UK from Tennessee, and we invited him to make a detour and come to Dunfermline to see for himself the home of one of the world’s greatest ever philanthropists, Andrew Carnegie."
Kindred Spirits with Carnegie
Jeff brought with him the letter from Dolly. In it she also spoke of her pride at her connection with Carnegie. "I was honoured and humbled to receive the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy this past October. This was truly special to me, as I feel that in some ways Andrew Carnegie and I are kindred spirits."
She went on to explain that Carnegie had given the 'gift of reading to almost 3000 communities' by helping to build libraries around the world. She said her Imagination Library had also impacted 3000 communities worldwide and provides a free book every month to more than two million children. She added: "It is very special to know that we are building on his wonderful legacy."
Scottish Roots and the Imagination Library
The queen of country music has previously spoken of her Scottish roots and said she could trace her ancestry back to the 17th century. She discovered her ancestors were lowland farmers before they emigrated to Ulster, then on to her native Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
Dolly has previously spoken of her drive to build the Imagination Library. She said: "I had books in school but wasn't allowed to take them home. I read fairytales and stories very early on and loved it. I launched Imagination Library because so many of my own relatives didn't get the chance of a proper education. My father Robert couldn't read or write even though he was one of the smartest people I ever knew. Before he passed away in 2000, he told me he was so proud of Imagination Library. I believe if a child can learn to read, even if you don't have the chance of a proper education, you can find a book on something you're interested in and teach yourself."
