[2] She appears to have had significant connections in Scotland;[3] in 1787, Robert Burns gave her a book of poetry by Robert Fergusson,[3][6] in which he wrote: "This copy of Ferguson's Poems is presented as a mark of esteem, friendship, and regard to Miss R. Carmichael, poetess".
[1] One of her subscribers includes physician to King George II, Dr Carmichael Smyth of London.
[6] Records show that Carmichael became severely impoverished when her husband, John Hay, died in 1806.
A letter attached to her poem "Extempore, on Seeing Sir William Forbes Funeral" addressed to Archibald Constable begs him for a loan.
[2] She was influenced by poet Anna Laetitia Barbauld, who promoted exploring personal feelings in literature.