Lorna Cowan reviews the life and legacy of Sir Walter Scott
Lorna Cowan delves into the life of author Sir Walter Scott, 250 years after his birth.
POET, novelist, historian, lawyer, publisher: however you choose to describe Sir Walter Scott, there’s no denying he is one of the most celebrated Scots ever to have lived.
As well as writing numerous narrative poems, Sir Walter Scott was the author of many works of fiction – a remarkable feat considering his first novel – “Waverley”, an international bestseller – was published when he was forty-three.
Scott was fascinated by folklore and historical ballads, and the pages of his novels are filled with stylised stories of a gallant, chivalrous and tartan-draped Scottish nation.
He is responsible for conjuring up a romantic image of Scotland in minds throughout the world, and his influence echoes through Scotland’s national identity to this day.
With 2021 being the 250th anniversary of Scott’s birth, it’s the perfect time to take a look at this famous Scot’s life.
Walter Scott was born on August 15, 1771, in a small flat in Edinburgh’s
Old Town.
His parents were Walter, a solicitor, and Anne, but when young Walter contracted polio as a child, he was sent for extended periods to his grandparents’ farm in the Scottish Borders.
The family hoped that the young boy would benefit from the countryside’s fresh air, and it was while he was there that Scott started to acquire his knowledge of Scottish legends.
Listening to songs and sagas associated with the Borders, he was intrigued by his homeland’s fascinating past, loving nothing more than hearing his aunt recount historical events, as well as speak of fantastical folk tales.
Back in the city with his parents, when he was well enough, he attended Edinburgh High School.
He went on to study
Latin and Greek at Edinburgh University and then later followed in his father’s footsteps to learn law.
In 1792, Scott qualified as a lawyer, and while successful in his role, his fascination with the written word continued.
He started translating works from German, and after that he moved on to compiling poetry, though it was to be a further six years before any of his work was published.
In 1797, Scott met his future wife, Charlotte Carpenter, at a spa in Cumbria.
It was only months since his heart had by been broken by his young sweetheart, Williamina Belsches, who chose to marry the son of a wealthy banker.
Scott proposed to Charlotte three weeks after their first introduction.
The couple were married in Carlisle that Christmas Eve, and they went on to have five children together, though their first son died as an infant.
The Scott family, which by 1805 included
Charlotte Sophia, Walter, Anne and Charles, set up home at 39 Castle Street, Edinburgh.
They also spent time at a farmhouse near Galashiels in Selkirkshire, which Scott rented from his cousin who was serving in India.
It was in 1802 that Scott’s first notable work was published, a ballad collection called “Minstrelsy Of The
Scottish Border”.
“The Lay Of The Last Minstrel” followed, as did the poetic romance “Marmion”, and then “The Lady Of The Lake”.
It wasn’t until 1814, however, that Scott published his first novel, “Waverley”, set during the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
The author kept his anonymity, fearing that being a fiction writer would damage his reputation – at the time poetry was considered far superior.
There was no need to worry, though.
The book was a phenomenal success, not only in the UK, but throughout Europe and America, too.
The first edition of 1,000 copies sold out within days.
The novels that followed,
such as “Rob Roy”, “Ivanhoe” and “The Heart Of Midlothian”, were also rip-roaring successes, and fans around the globe fell in love with an idealised image of Scotland.
The books’ popularity soared, and Scott became increasingly rumoured as their author, more so when the Prince Regent, who went on to become
George IV, invited him to dinner.
In 1822, when the recently crowned monarch decided to visit Scotland – the first Scottish visit by a reigning sovereign for over 150 years – there was only one person to be in charge of the royal itinerary.
Scott, according to some critics, went overboard, organising extravagant gatherings where guests were encouraged to wear full tartan regalia.
The clothing had been banned, and was reserved for those serving in the King’s Army until 1782.
But with readers of Scott’s novels embracing Scotland’s new-found romantic identity, everyone was keen to don the Highland dress – even the King, who turned up in a kilt and salmon-pink tights!
Alongside writing, Scott continued to maintain a successful career in law.
Despite being a master of words and a legal wizard, when it came to numbers, Scott didn’t have the same level of expertise, and he was inept at managing his own finances.
In 1825, when his publishing company collapsed, Scott was left with considerable debts.
Rather than declare bankruptcy, he placed his estate and assets into a trust belonging to his creditors, then produced a prolific amount of literary work over the next seven years as a means of wiping out his debt.
Lady Scott died in 1826, and Scott suffered a stroke five years later.
He died aged sixty-one in September 1832 at his home of Abbotsford, a mansion near Melrose which today is open to visitors.
The couple are buried together in the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey. ■