Sir Walter Scott Biography

Sir Walter Scott, as one of his country’s earliest prominent writers, helped establish Scotland’s place in the literary canon. Scott was a prolific poet as well as the author of numerous historical romances and adventures. Despite his early success and the influence he exerted over nineteenth-century English literature, time had not always been kind to Scott. Later critics denounced his works on grounds of structure, tone, and content. Yet, in many ways, Scott was at the forefront of the romantic, larger-than-life style that pervaded the late nineteenth century. A renewed interest in Scott has overlooked his faults and helped cast his work in a more positive light. He remains a significant figure in both the Scottish canon and literature as a whole.

Facts and Trivia

When he was just two years old, Scott became afflicted with polio. Though he survived the illness, his right leg would be unusable for the rest of his life.
Writing was not Scott’s first career choice. He studied law, which he practiced after completing his studies. He later served as sheriff-deputy of his county.
In the second half of the twentieth century, Scott’s novels inspired two highly acclaimed films: Ivanhoe (based on the novel of the same name) and Rob Roy.
A song commonly referred to as “Schubert’s Ave Maria” is in fact a musicalization of Scott’s “The Lady in the Lake.”
Scott's works are often attributed with popularizing the kilt as a staple of Scottish garb.

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Sir Walter Scott, born on August 15, 1771, in Edinburgh, Scotland, grew up in a family shaped by legal and literary pursuits. As the son of attorney Walter Scott and the socially and intellectually active Anne Rutherford Scott, Walter was one of only five surviving children out of twelve. His early life was marked by a battle with polio at the age of two, which left him with a permanent physical disability, yet it did not impede his burgeoning love for literature and storytelling.

Early Life and Education

Immersed in the world of books from a young age, Scott's imagination was fueled by fairy tales, ballads, and the works of Shakespeare. His fascination extended to Asian fables and local folklore, significantly influenced by his visits to his grandfather's farm along the Tweed River and relatives in the Scottish Border country and Highlands. By his teenage years, Scott's encyclopedic memory allowed him to recite Scots ballads effortlessly. This ability, combined with his interest in medieval romances and historical narratives, formed the core of his self-directed education.

Scott found structured education somewhat unsatisfying, attending the High School of Edinburgh from 1778 to 1782 and enrolling at Edinburgh University in 1783. However, due to health issues, he left shortly thereafter but continued his literary studies at home under the guidance of a tutor. During this time, he also began his legal training under his father's watchful eye, eventually attending humanities and law classes intermittently at Edinburgh University over the next nine years.

Venturing into Law and Marriage

In 1792, Scott qualified as a lawyer and was admitted to the Scottish Bar, seemingly setting a clear professional path. A few years later, in 1797, he married Charlotte Carpenter and continued his legal practice. By 1799, Scott was appointed sheriff of Selkirkshire, prompting a move to Ashestiel on the Tweed. Despite settling into the role of a country gentleman, Scott's connection to Edinburgh remained, dictated by the rhythms of the law sessions.

Literary Pursuits and Early Success

Scott's literary career began to flourish with the publication of a three-volume collection, Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border (1802-1803). This work showcased his talent for folklore preservation and became a testament to his keen interest in Scottish culture. His poetic endeavors, such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805), Marmion (1808), and The Lady of the Lake (1810), garnered him widespread acclaim, positioning him among the most celebrated poets of the British Isles. However, literary success came at the expense of his legal practice, as his focus shifted towards writing.

In 1812, Scott purchased the Abbotsford estate, aspiring to live a life close to the land as a gentleman. Around this time, he also became involved in publishing, forming a partnership with John Ballantyne and Co. and advocating for the Tory journal, the Quarterly Review (1809). Despite the opportunity to become poet laureate in 1813, Scott declined, recommending the position be given to Robert Southey instead.

Transition to Prose and the Waverley Novels

With literary tastes shifting towards Lord Byron's romantic verses, Scott pivoted to prose, beginning with his novel Waverley. This marked the start of a prolific period, wherein he authored another twenty novels over the next decade. While published anonymously, the distinctive style led many to identify Scott as the author, and his collective body of work in this genre became known as the Waverley novels.

Financial Struggles and Later Life

The collapse of Ballantyne's printing firm in 1826 alongside his publisher's bankruptcy thrust Scott into significant financial turmoil. Determined to resolve his debts, he devoted his remaining years to this cause, despite declining health. Suffering from repeated strokes, Scott was afforded a chance to travel to the Mediterranean on a government-provided frigate, in hopes of recuperation.

His return to Abbotsford was brief, as he passed away on September 21, 1832, at the age of sixty-one. Scott was laid to rest beside his wife in the remnants of Dryburgh Abbey. In homage to his legacy, a detailed Gothic monument was constructed in Edinburgh in 1844, a lasting tribute to his indelible impact on literature and Scottish culture.

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