1. Walter Scott
Introduction
Walter Scott was a Scottish historical novelist and poet. Many of his works remain classics of both English literature
and of Scottish literature. Some of the notable works of Scott are Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Old Mortality, The Lady of the
Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.
Although primarily remembered for his extensive literary works and his political engagement, Scott was an
advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession.
Walter Scott’s Poetry
In 1796, Scott published his first poems, including "Glenfinlas" and "The Eve of St. John". His poetry immediately
brought him to public attention. In 1805, the long narrative poem The Lady of the Last Minstrel captured wide public
attention, and his career as a writer was established. Scott published many other poems over the next ten years,
including the popular narrative poem The Lady of the Lake (1810). Some of the German translation of this work were
set to music by Franz Schubert. One of these songs, "Ellens dritter Gesang", is popularly labelled as "Schubert's Ave
Maria".
In 1813, Scott was offered the position of Poet Laureate. He declined, due to the decline in quality of work suffered
by previous title holders.
The Novels of Walter Scott
Though the novel writing was considered inferior during his time, Walter Scott used certain innovative methods. He
started documenting his researches about the oral tradition of Scotland in his novels. His novels became a mode of
writing that portrayed historical events. Thus, he came to be called as the father of historical novel. The following are
some of the important novels of Walter Scott.
1. Waverly
Waverley was published anonymously in 1814 as Scott's first venture into prose fiction. It is often regarded as the
first historical novel in the western tradition. The book became so popular that Scott's later novels were advertised as
being "by the author of Waverley". His series of works on similar themes written during the same period have become
collectively known as the "Waverley Novels".
2. The Heart of Midlothian
The Heart of Midlothian is the seventh of Scott’s Waverley Novels. It was originally published in four volumes on
25 July 1818, under the title of Tales of My Landlord. Although the identity of the author of the Waverley Novels was
well known by this time, Scott still chose to write under a pseudonym. The Heart of Midlothian is often regarded as
Scott's finest novel. Much of the dialogue is in Lowland Scots, and some editions carry a glossary.
3. Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe was first published in 1820 in three volumes. The novel represented a shift by Scott away from fairly
realistic novels to a somewhat fanciful depiction of mediaeval England. It has proved to be one of the best known and
most influential of Scott's novels. It has been credited for increasing interest in romance and medievalism. John Henry
Newman claimed Scott "had first turned men's minds in the direction of the Middle Ages".
Conclusion
Although he continued to be extremely popular and widely read, both at home and abroad, Water Scott's critical
reputation declined in the last half of the 19th century. As serious writers turned from romanticism to realism, Scott
began to be regarded as an author suitable for children. The modern writers such as Robert Frost started criticising his
novels for “flat characters” and “thin plots”.
