About
Walter Scott was born in Edinburgh in 1771. Stricken with polio in infancy, he retained a weakness in his right leg. After studying law, he became an advocate in 1792, then served as Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire and as Principal Clerk to the Court of Session. He first achieved success as a poet with works such as Marmion, before turning to fiction. With Waverley (1814), he invented the modern historical novel, followed by many others, including Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. He was created a baronet in 1820 and played a key role in rediscovering the Scottish Crown Jewels. Ruined in 1825, he wrote prolifically to pay off his debts. He died at Abbotsford in 1832.
* 1771-08-15 — † 1832-09-21
Major works
- The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805)narrative poem
- Marmion (1808)narrative poem
- Waverley (1814)novel
- Rob Roy (1817)novel
- Ivanhoe (1819)novel
Key milestones
- 1814Publication of Waverley, often considered the first modern historical novel.
- 1820Created a baronet by King George IV.
- 1822Orchestrated King George IV's visit to Scotland, the first by a reigning monarch since 1650.
Themes
Scottish historyNational identityHonor and loyaltyConflict between tradition and modeRomanticism
Sources: nrscotland.gov.uk · britannica.com · nls.uk
