Sir Walter Scott Overview
Prepared by Skylar Hamilton Burris

Expanded Timeline

1771        Born
1786        Apprenticed to his father, a lawyer
1799        Appointed sheriff deputy of Selkirk county
1802        Publication of ballads in 3 vol. Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border
1806        Clerk of the Court of Session in Edinburgh
1814        Waverly
1817        Rob Roy
1818        The Heart of Midlothian
1819        Ivanhoe
1832        Died

Overview

Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish Baronet. He is considered the "inventor" of the historical novel.  He wrote a large number of novels (four of which are listed in the time line above), partly to pay off his debts, incurred through the building of his country house and through his involvement with a financially troubled printing firm.

"Love"

And said I that my limbs were old,
And said I that my blood was cold,
And that my kindly fire was fled,
And my poor withered heart was dead,
And that I might not sing of love?--
How could I to the dearest theme,
That ever warmed a minstrel’s ream,
So foul, so false a recreant prove!
How could I name love’s very name,
Nor wake my heart to notes of flame!

In peace, Love tunes the shepherd’s reed;
In war, he mounts the warrior’s steed;
In halls, in gray attire is seen;
In hamlets, dances on the green,
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove,
And men below, and saints above;
For love is heaven, and heaven is love.

Websites

The Walter Scott Digital Archive
A scholarly resource maintained by Edinburgh University Library

Suggest a site. E-mail ssburris@msn.com.

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