R. L. Stine
American writer and producer
Sir Walter Scott was a renowned Scottish novelist, poet, and historian who made a significant impact on European and American literature. He is known for his classic works such as Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, and The Lady of the Lake, which established him as a master of the historical novel genre. Scott also had a distinguished career as a legal professional, serving as a judge, legal administrator, and scholar.
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About the Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet and The Lady of the Lake (1810). He had a major impact on European and American literature.
As an advocate and legal administrator by profession, he combined writing and editing with his daily work as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire. He was prominent in Edinburgh’s Tory establishment, active in the Highland Society, long time a president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1820-1832), and a vice president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1827-1829). His knowledge of history and literary facility equipped him to establish the historical novel genre as an exemplar of European Romanticism. He became a baronet of Abbotsford in the County of Roxburgh, Scotland, on 22 April 1820; the title became extinct upon his son’s death in 1847.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, and historian who lived from 1771 to 1832. He was one of the most influential figures in European Romanticism and is considered a major contributor to the historical novel genre.
Some of Walter Scott’s most renowned works include the novels Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Waverley, Old Mortality, The Heart of Mid-Lothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, as well as the narrative poems Marmion and The Lady of the Lake.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Walter Scott was also a prominent advocate, judge, and legal administrator. He served as the Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire, and was active in Edinburgh’s Tory establishment and various scholarly societies.
Walter Scott’s knowledge of history and his legal expertise allowed him to establish the historical novel genre as an exemplar of European Romanticism. His ability to combine his legal work with writing and editing contributed to his significant impact on European and American literature.
In 1820, Walter Scott was made a baronet of Abbotsford in the County of Roxburgh, Scotland. He was also a long-time president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a vice president of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, reflecting his literary and scholarly achievements.
Walter Scott’s works, such as Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, and The Lady of the Lake, remain classics of European and Scottish literature to this day. His impact on the historical novel genre and his contributions to Romanticism have cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in 19th-century literature.
As a Scot, Walter Scott’s knowledge of Scottish history and culture deeply influenced his writings, which often explored themes of national identity, tradition, and the impact of social and political change. His legal background also provided him with a unique perspective on the historical and social dynamics of his time.
35 Quotes by Walter Scott
- 1.
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above: For love is heaven, and heaven is love.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 2.
‘Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark our coming, and look brighter when we come.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 3.
A rusty nail placed near a faithful compass, will sway it from the truth, and wreck the argosy.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 4.
The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 5.
Teach you children poetry; it opens the mind, lends grace to wisdom and makes the heroic virtues hereditary.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 6.
If a farmer fills his barn with grain, he gets mice. If he leaves it empty, he gets actors.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 7.
To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 8.
What is a diary as a rule? A document useful to the person who keeps it. Dull to the contemporary who reads it and invaluable to the student, centuries afterwards, who treasures it.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 9.
A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 10.
There is a vulgar incredulity, which in historical matters, as well as in those of religion, finds it easier to doubt than to examine.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 11.
When thinking about companions gone, we feel ourselves doubly alone.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 12.
One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 13.
He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit, He that leaps the wide gulf should prevail in his suit.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 14.
O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 15.
One hour of life, crowded to the full with glorious action, and filled with noble risks, is worth whole years of those mean observances of paltry decorum, in which men steal through existence, like sluggish waters through a marsh, without either honor or observation.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 16.
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 17.
O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound a heart that’s broken!
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 18.
Each age has deemed the new-born year the fittest time for festal cheer.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 19.
We build statues out of snow, and weep to see them melt.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 20.
What I have to say is far more important than how long my eyelashes are.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 21.
It is wonderful what strength of purpose and boldness and energy of will are roused by the assurance that we are doing our duty.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 22.
For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 23.
Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 24.
If you once turn on your side after the hour at which you ought to rise, it is all over. Bolt up at once.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 25.
To all, to each, a fair good-night, and pleasing dreams, and slumbers light.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 26.
Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 27.
Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 28.
Look back, and smile on perils past.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 29.
Many miles away there’s a shadow on the door of a cottage on the Shore of a dark Scottish lake.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 30.
To be ambitious of true honor, of the true glory and perfection of our natures, is the very principle and incentive of virtue.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 31.
The half hour between waking and rising has all my life proved propitious to any task which was exercising my invention… It was always when I first opened my eyes that the desired ideas thronged upon me.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 32.
Faces that have charmed us the most escape us the soonest.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 33.
Success – keeping your mind awake and your desire asleep.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 34.
He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)
- 35.
Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.
Walter ScottScottish novelist, poet and playwright (1771-1832)