Walter Scott
Romance writer as defined by Walter Scott.
Sir Walter Scott, born in Edinburgh in 1771, was a Scottish novelist, poet, and historian whose works became classics of European and Scottish literature. He is best known for his series of Waverley novels, published between 1814 and 1831, which for nearly a century ranked among the most popular and widely read fiction in Europe. His narrative poems *Marmion* (1808) and *The Lady of the Lake* (1810) also brought him lasting fame. By profession, Scott worked as an advocate and legal administrator, serving as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire while simultaneously writing and editing. He was a prominent figure in Edinburgh’s Tory establishment, active in the Highland Society, served as long-time president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and was a vice president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His deep historical knowledge and literary skill allowed him to establish the historical novel as a key genre of European Romanticism. He was made a baronet of Abbotsford in 1820, a title that ended with his son’s death in 1847. Scott’s early life was marked by a childhood bout of polio in 1773 that left him lame, a condition that influenced his life and writing. He was sent to the rural Scottish Borders to recover, where he learned to read from his aunt and absorbed the speech patterns, tales, and folklore that later permeated his work. He studied classics at the University of Edinburgh from age twelve, later apprenticed as a Writer to the Signet, and returned to university to study law, becoming active in student intellectual societies. His only meeting with Robert Burns occurred during this period.
- field
- Novelist, poet, historian, advocate, legal administrator
- nationality
- Scottish
- known_for
- Waverley novels, narrative poems, historical novel genre
Lore & Background
Walter Scott described romance as 'a fictitious narrative in prose or verse; the interest of which turns upon marvellous and uncommon incidents', a narrative method that was contrasted to the new, main tradition of the 18th and 19th centuries: the novel, which realistically depicts life. He described romance as a 'kindred term' to novel, and many European languages do not distinguish between them (e.g., 'le roman, der Roman, il romanzo' in French, German, and Italian, respectively). Scott is listed among romance writers (as defined by Scott) alongside the Brontës, E. T. A. Hoffmann, Victor Hugo, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Thomas Hardy. Later examples of romance writers include Joseph Conrad, John Cowper Powys, J. R. R. Tolkien and A. S. Byatt. While fantasy is, generally speaking, not significant in the works of romance writers, Scott's definition includes 'marvellous and uncommon incidents'.
Reader's Guide
Scott's definition of romance as involving 'marvellous and uncommon incidents' connects the romance form with the Romantic movement, and the gothic novel, as well as the medieval romance tradition. The term 'romance' is now mainly used to refer to love romances in genre fiction, and for other fiction it is 'now chiefly archaic and historical' (OED). Works of fiction such as Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre combine elements from both types. Although early stories of historical romance often took the form of the romance, the terms 'romance novel' and 'historical romance' are confusing, because the words 'romance' and 'romantic' have held multiple meanings historically: referring to either romantic love or 'the character or quality that makes something appeal strongly to the imagination, and sets it apart from [...] everyday life'; this latter sense is associated with 'adventure, heroism, chivalry, etc.' (OED).
Did You Know?
- Walter Scott described romance as a 'kindred term' to novel, and many European languages do not distinguish between them (e.g., 'le roman, der Roman, il romanzo' in French, German, and Italian, respectively).
- Scott is listed among romance writers (as defined by Scott) alongside the Brontës, E. T. A. Hoffmann, Victor Hugo, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Thomas Hardy.
- Scott's definition of romance includes 'marvellous and uncommon incidents', a narrative method contrasted to the novel, which realistically depicts life.
- Later examples of romance writers (as defined by Scott) include Joseph Conrad, John Cowper Powys, J. R. R. Tolkien and A. S. Byatt.
- While fantasy is, generally speaking, not significant in the works of romance writers, Scott's definition includes 'marvellous and uncommon incidents'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Walter Scott?
Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a Scottish writer who worked across novels, poetry, and history. He is widely regarded as one of the defining figures of European Romanticism and a pioneer of the historical novel.
What are the Waverley novels?
The Waverley novels are a series of sixteen historical novels Scott published between 1814 and 1831, beginning with the work simply titled Waverley. They span Scottish, English, and continental European history and were initially released under the pseudonym 'The Author of Waverley.'
What narrative poems is Walter Scott famous for?
His most celebrated verse works include Marmion (1808) and The Lady of the Lake (1810), both of which achieved enormous popularity across Europe. These long narrative poems helped cement his reputation before he turned fully to fiction.
What was Walter Scott's role outside of writing?
Beyond his literary career, Scott served as an advocate (barrister) and held the legal posts of Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire. He managed to balance these administrative duties with a prolific output of poetry, novels, and historical scholarship.
Why is Walter Scott considered important in literary history?
He is credited with essentially creating the historical novel as a distinct genre, blending accurate research with dramatic storytelling. His influence rippled through 19th-century European literature, inspiring writers from Dickens to Dumas.
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