Sir Walter Scott (eng. Walter Scott; August 15, 1771, Edinburgh - September 21, 1832, Abbotsford, buried in Dryburgh)- world famous British writer, poet, historian, collector of antiquities, lawyer, Scottish by birth. He is considered the founder of the historical novel genre.
Born in Edinburgh, the son of a wealthy Scottish lawyer, Walter John (1729-1799) and Anna Rutherford (1739-1819), the daughter of a professor of medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He was the ninth child in the family, but when he was six months old, only three remained alive. In a family of 13 children, six survived.
In January 1772, he fell ill with infantile paralysis, lost the mobility of his right leg and remained lame forever. Twice - in 1775 and in 1777 - he was treated in the resort towns of Bath and Prestonpans. His childhood was closely connected with the Scottish Borders, where he spent time on his grandfather's farm in Sandinow, as well as at his uncle's house near Kelso. Despite his physical disability, already in early age amazed those around him with his lively mind and phenomenal memory.
In 1778 he returned to Edinburgh. From 1779 he studied at Edinburgh school, and in 1785 he entered Edinburgh College. In college, he became interested in mountaineering, became physically stronger, and gained popularity among his peers as an excellent storyteller. He read a lot, including ancient authors, was fond of novels and poetry, and especially emphasized the traditional ballads and tales of Scotland. Together with his friends, he organized a “Poetry Society” in college, studied German and became acquainted with the work of German poets.
The year 1792 became important for Scott: at the University of Edinburgh he passed the bar exam. From that time on, he became a respectable man with a prestigious profession and had his own legal practice. In the first years of independent legal practice, he traveled a lot around the country, collecting folk legends and ballads about Scottish heroes of the past. He became interested in translating German poetry and anonymously published his translations of Bürger's ballad "Lenora".
In 1791, he met his first love, Williamina Belshes, the daughter of an Edinburgh lawyer. For five years he tried to achieve Villamina's reciprocity, but the girl kept him in uncertainty and in the end chose William Forbes, the son of a wealthy banker, whom she married in 1796. Unrequited love became a severe blow for the young man; Particles of Villamina’s image subsequently appeared more than once in the heroines of the writer’s novels.
In 1797 he married Charlotte Carpenter (Charlotte Charpentier) (1770-1826). In life he was an exemplary family man, a good, sensitive, tactful, grateful person; loved his Abbotsford estate, which he rebuilt into a small castle; loved trees, pets, good feast in the family circle.
In 1830 he suffered his first stroke of apoplexy, which paralyzed his right arm. In 1830-1831 Scott experienced two more apoplexy.
Currently, Scott's Abbotsford estate houses a museum for the famous writer.
(Walter Scott) - famous British writer, poet, historian, lawyer of Scottish origin. He is considered the founder of the historical novel genre.
Was born 15 August 1771 in Edinburgh, in the family of a wealthy lawyer. In a family of 13 children, six survived.
Since childhood, the writer suffered from paralysis, as a result of which he remained lame for the rest of his life. He was often taken to resorts for treatment. Despite his physical handicap, already at an early age he amazed those around him with his lively mind and phenomenal memory, and read a lot.
In 1778 he returned to Edinburgh. From 1779 he studied at Edinburgh school, and in 1785 he entered Edinburgh College. In college, he became interested in mountaineering, became physically stronger, and gained popularity among his peers as an excellent storyteller.
Together with his friends, he organized the Poetry Society at college and studied German.
In 1792 he took the bar exam at the University of Edinburgh. After that, he actively practiced law and traveled extensively throughout the country. Along the way, he collected folk tales and legends about the country's heroes.
He became interested in translating German poetry and anonymously published his translations of Bürger's ballad "Lenora".
In 1791, he fell in love for the first time, but Villamina Belches chose someone else over him. This was a huge blow for young Walter, and he repeatedly used the image of a girl in his works. W. Scott married Charlotte Carpenter in 1797 and was an exemplary family man; loved his Abbotsford estate, which he rebuilt into a small castle.
In 1830 he suffered his first stroke of apoplexy, which paralyzed his right arm. In 1830-1831, Scott experienced two more apoplexy.
Scott's work is conventionally divided into two groups: novels dedicated to the recent past of Scotland and novels dedicated to the past of England, as well as continental countries in the Middle Ages. The poet's first serious work appeared in 1800. It was a romantic ballad "Midsummer's Evening". The events of Scottish history are most clearly depicted in such novels as Guy Mannering, Rob Roy, etc. Moving away from Scotland, the writer depicted historical events England and neighboring countries in the novels “Ivanhoe”, “Woodstock”.
Sir Walter was born in August 1771 in Edinburgh. His family was very prosperous and educated. Father - Walter John - was a lawyer. Mother - Anna Rutherford - was the daughter of a professor of medicine. The couple had thirteen children. The writer was born ninth, but by the time he reached the age of six months he had only three brothers and sisters left.
Walter Scott himself could have followed the dead. The short biography for children does not clarify this point. But in January 1772 the child became seriously ill. Doctors diagnosed infantile paralysis. The family was afraid that the baby would remain immobile forever, but after much therapeutic manipulation, the doctors managed to put him on his feet. Unfortunately, it was not possible to fully restore mobility, and Sir Walter remained lame for the rest of his life.
Walter Scott, the writer's father, in his youth
Anna Scott, the writer's mother, in old age. From a painting by George Watson
Most of his childhood was spent in the wonderful town of Sandinow, where his grandfather's farm was located. At the age of seven he returned to his parents in Edinburgh, and in 1779 he began attending school. His physical handicap was more than replaced by a lively mind and phenomenal memory. After graduating from Walter Scott School, short biography which is very informative, goes to a local college.
At this time, he begins to get involved in mountaineering, again because of his health. Exercising helped young man grow stronger and gain the respect of your peers. He read a lot, devoting special attention Scottish tales and ballads. Sir Walter learned German in order to better understand German poets, whose work he was also interested in during his student years.
All of his friends claimed that he was an excellent storyteller and predicted that he would become a great writer. But Scott had another goal: he dreamed of getting a law degree. Career This happened in 1792, when the future literary celebrity passed an exam at the university. He was awarded a diploma, and Walter Scott, whose biography is proof of the writer’s success, opened his own legal practice.
Career
This happened in 1792, when the future literary celebrity passed an exam at the university. He was awarded a diploma, and Walter Scott, whose biography is proof of the writer’s success, opened his own legal practice.
In 1791 Scott joined discussion club, becomes its treasurer and secretary. Subsequently, he will give lectures there on the topics of parliamentary reforms and the immunity of judges. Scott first acted as a defense attorney in a criminal trial in 1793 in Jedburgh. Due to the nature of his work, Sir Walter spent little time in Edinburgh and traveled extensively around the area, taking part in various court cases. In 1795 he visited Galloway, where he acted as counsel for the accused. He does not abandon his passion for literature and brings from each of his trips a lot of folklore material, recordings of legends and local myths.
Poetic activity
Walter Scott, whose short biography cannot contain all the events from his most interesting life, traveled a lot in search of ancient ballads and tales that he dreamed of publishing. His own activity as a writer began with translations. The first experience was the German poet Burger, whose poems ("Lenore", "Wild Hunter") he adapted for the residents of the United Kingdom. Then there was Goethe and his poem "Götz von Berlichingem". In 1800 he wrote the first original ballad "Midsummer's Evening". In 1802, his dream came true - the publication “Songs of the Scottish Border” was published, in which all the collected folklore material was published
Prosaic way
When starting to write novels, Walter Scott doubted the success of this endeavor, although he was already known to the public. His first prose work Waverley was published in 1814. Not to say that it gained success and fame, but it was highly appreciated by both critics and ordinary readers.
For a long time, Scott thought about what genre to write his novels in. The author had no doubt that they would be connected with history. But to be different from others and bring something new to literary world, he developed a completely new structure and thereby created the genre of the historical novel. In it real personalities act only as a background and reflection of the era, and come to the fore fictional characters, whose fate is influenced by historical events.
First historical novel Scott becomes Waverley, completed and published in 1814. This is followed by such works with socio-historical conflicts as “Guy Mannering” (1815), “The Antiquary” (1816), “The Puritans” (1816), “Rob Roy” (1818), “The Legend of Montrose” (1819) and other. After their release, Walter Scott became famous throughout the world, and many of his works different times staged in theater and cinema.
Personal life
Walter Scott was married twice. He first fell in love in 1791 with Villamina Belches, the daughter of a famous lawyer in the city. The young people were in a difficult relationship, as Vinyamina kept Scott a little at a distance for five years. Finally, when a serious conversation took place between the lovers, it turned out that Vinamina had long been engaged to the son of a local banker, so Walter found himself alone with his broken hearted and the unattainable desire to return first love.
In 1796, the writer married Charlotte Carpenter, who gave her lover four children - two girls and boys. In life, Walter Scott did not like noisy adventures and extravagant adventures; the inventor of the novel in verse was used to spending time in a measured way, surrounded by family and loved ones. And even more so, Walter was not a Don Juan: the man despised fleeting relationships on the side and was completely faithful to his wife.
The novel is written by the world famous Scottish writer Walter Scott. His biography is a chronology of the life of a worker who is both in love with his homeland and values the history and unity of Britain.
His fellow countrymen appreciate him for being the first to present Scottish culture and identity to the world in his books. The writer warned the champions of English great power that an attempt to “unscottish” his fellow tribesmen was doomed to a resounding failure. He respected customs native land and revered the head of his clan. However, he was always a champion of the rule of law and British statehood. Therefore, the writer quite consciously accepted the court title of baronet granted by the king.
Childhood
Sir Walter Scott was born in the capital of Scotland - Edinburgh. The biography of this strong-willed and extraordinary person began with a test. At the age of one, he suffered from infantile paralysis, and therefore was marked by a limp for life, losing the mobility of his right leg. He was the ninth child in the family of a famous Edinburgh lawyer. However, only three children survived. Twice the parents treated the child’s illness at mineral springs, which weakened the symptoms of the disease. Before starting his studies, little Walter Scott was a frequent visitor as a nephew to the farms of relatives in the Scottish province.
His childhood was imbued with the simple life of the Scottish countryside, folk tales, and songs. The unassuming hilly landscape of his homeland with numerous lakes and ancient mysterious buildings was close to his soul.
Education
From the age of eight, Walter Scott studied at Edinburgh School, and at the age of 14 he entered Edinburgh College. Among his peers, he was distinguished by his phenomenal memory and innate intelligence. His comrades considered him an unsurpassed storyteller. From childhood until the end of his days, the future writer worked independently on his education; he delved deeply into ancient and European (especially German) literature, receiving encyclopedic knowledge recognized by all.
In his youth, having become interested in mountaineering, the future classic became physically stronger, and his illness began to manifest itself to a lesser extent.
Family, career
Walter Scott (1771-1832) was an amazingly harmonious and holistic person; the writer achieved genuine public respect, having received a solid lawyer's education and a respected profession. His first feeling was unhappy. A twenty-year-old young man falls in love with the daughter of his father's friend, Villamina Belches, and courtes her for five years, but she does not reciprocate his feelings and marries someone else.
However, he was destined for a harmonious and happy family life. When twenty-five years of age he married Miss Margaret Carpenter. The couple first has a son, and two years later a daughter. Moving along career ladder, in 1806 he was appointed clerk of the court.
Good husband and father
According to the surviving records of contemporaries, Sir Walter Scott was an exemplary father and head of the family. His biography testifies that he gave his children a proper education, and the writer, in love with Scotland, rebuilt his Abbotsford estate at his own discretion into an ancient castle, albeit a convenient and comfortable one. The place of the armory and servants' rooms in the classic's house was taken by library halls and an office. Despite his rather frequent illnesses, he was a pleasant and hospitable host, the life of the party.
He was a kind and fair man, a sanguine person, who communicated equally easily and kindly with nobles and with ordinary people. His professional activity always followed the golden rule of the presumption of innocence. In the political battles between British liberals and Tories, each of whom tried to win over famous writer On his side, he did not follow either side, preferring the common-sense position of a statist.
Poetic creativity
The first ones literary works Walter Scott wrote at the age of 25. The biography of the famous novelist began with poetic creativity. The Scot translated the mystical ballads of Gottfried Bürger “The Wild Hunter” and “Lenora”, as well as Johann Goethe’s knightly tragedy “Götz von Berlichingen”. Soon the young author begins to write works based on Scottish folklore. The poet wrote his first work in 1800, it was the mystical knightly ballad “Midsummer’s Evening.”
Inspired folk epic, the poet begins to develop this fertile theme, releasing a two-volume collection of his poems entitled “Songs of the Scottish Border”. He was a success. The creation of the third volume of “Songs” was already eagerly awaited by the reading public in Britain. Walter Scott became widely famous for his innovative romantic poetry. His books poetic works enjoyed success among their compatriots. Among them, the ballads “Marmion”, “Rokeby”, “Maid of the Lake”, “Song of the Last Minstrel” deserve special recognition.
Social novels
The famous novelist began writing prose ten years later. His first work was published anonymously in 1814 under the title Waverley, or 60 Years Ago. Walter Scott, who was ill quite often, worked surprisingly fruitfully. His books (meaning novels) were written on average two per year. Until 1827, his prose was published under the signature “Author Waverley.” In total, over the thirty years of his work, 28 novels and large number stories. His literary research went beyond the canonical chivalric novels, he became disillusioned with mysticism.
He created in literature new style, masterfully mixing the history of his native land, which he knew brilliantly, with highly artistic fiction, while creating surprisingly vivid characters beloved by readers. For him, real historical events are only a canvas against which the lives of his characters take place. Walter Scott's work before 1819 tends to describe events and conflicts that were fateful for Britain. The most striking novels of that period are Rob Roy (1818), which tells the story of a Scottish rebel and bandit, and The Puritans (1816), where we're talking about about a rebellion against the royal dynasty. In addition to the two above-mentioned books, the reader's attention is drawn to The Antiquary, Guy Mannering, and The Legend of Montrose.
Romance books
After 1819, Walter Scott slightly changed the themes of his works. Romanticism in his novels intensifies, and the intensity of class confrontation decreases. Now the writer’s attention is focused on all of Britain, and not just on his native Scotland. The master's palette becomes more diverse. The novel “Ivanhoe” (1819), which tells about England in the 12th century, becomes a kind of Rubicon in his work. He was followed by writing the books “The Abbot”, “The Monastery”, “Kenilworth”, “Quentin Dorward”, “The Beauty of Perth”. He creates and biographical works: “The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte”, “The Death of Lord Byron”.
Financial adversity
However, it was not so simple literary work, which was carried out by Walter Scott. Interesting facts from the writer’s life indicate that in 1825, while he was working on “The Fate of Napoleon,” the capital of the publisher and printer collaborating with him (Constable and the late James Ballantyne), combined with his capital, burned out on speculative operations of the company managing it, Hurst, Robinson and Co.
The British then looked with sympathy at the ruin of their favorite. According to the recollections of contemporaries, when the ruined Sir Walter Scott, as a court secretary, appeared at his meeting, he behaved with dignity and meekness. When his colleagues offered to lend him enough money to straighten out his financial condition, the writer refused. He, thanking for his participation, replied: “My right hand" These words conveyed both high human dignity and purely Scottish pride.
Death of a classic
The writer almost managed to pay off the debt of 120,000 pounds resulting from the depreciation of bills with the proceeds from his new novels. However, nervous tension and constant irregular writing work affected his health. Between 1830 and 1831, the writer experienced three strokes of apoplexy, and on September 21, 1832, Sir Walter Scott died of a heart attack on his Abbotsford estate. The remaining debt was repaid fifteen years later, thanks to the sale of copyright rights.
It should be noted that not only book readers know Walter Scott. The film adaptation of the classic works is familiar to millions of television viewers. The film “The Legend of valiant knight Ivanhoe”, as well as a film mix based on the works of the classic “Arrows of Robin Hood”. Fans of his work are familiar with the films “Rob Roy” and “The Adventures of Quentin Dorward.”
Conclusion
Having written novels read in Britain and around the world, Sir Walter Scott was a highly respected author. He stood at the origins of the creation of the historical novel genre. Classic was a very harmonious personality and very successfully combined creative and legal activities.
He comprehended the science of wisdom: living with people and for people, having his own point of view, but at the same time having no enemies. It is noteworthy that Walter Scott was a true patriot of Scotland. His biography is an example of creative literary work.
It is regrettable to see the untimely death of this the most talented person caused by heavy, irregular work and poor health.
Walter Scott, whose biography is described in this article, is a world-famous writer of Scottish origin. It is believed that he is the founder. There are probably no people in the educated world who are unfamiliar with his knight Ivanhoe or the story of Rob Roy.
Childhood and youth
Sir Walter was born in August 1771 in Edinburgh. His family was very prosperous and educated. Father - Walter John - was a lawyer. Mother - Anna Rutherford - was the daughter of a professor of medicine. The couple had thirteen children. The writer was born ninth, but by the time he reached the age of six months he had only three brothers and sisters left.
Walter Scott himself could have followed the dead. The short biography for children does not clarify this point. But in January 1772 the child became seriously ill. Doctors diagnosed infantile paralysis. The family was afraid that the baby would remain immobile forever, but after much therapeutic manipulation, the doctors managed to put him on his feet. Unfortunately, it was not possible to fully restore mobility, and Sir Walter remained lame for the rest of his life.
Several times he had to undergo long-term treatment for the consequences of an infantile illness at resorts.
Most of his childhood was spent in the wonderful town of Sandinow, where his grandfather's farm was located.
At the age of seven he returned to his parents in Edinburgh, and in 1779 he began attending school. His physical handicap was more than replaced by a lively mind and phenomenal memory.
After graduating from school, Walter Scott, whose short biography is very informative, entered a local college.
At this time, he begins to get involved in mountaineering, again because of his health. Sports activities helped the young man become stronger and gain the respect of his peers. He read a lot, paying special attention to Scottish tales and ballads. Sir Walter learned German in order to better understand German poets, whose work he was also interested in during his student years.
All of his friends claimed that he was an excellent storyteller and predicted that he would become a great writer. But Scott had another goal: he dreamed of getting a law degree.
Career
This happened in 1792, when the future literary celebrity passed an exam at the university. He was awarded a diploma, and Walter Scott, whose biography is proof of the writer’s success, opened his own legal practice.
In 1791, Scott joined the debating club and became its treasurer and secretary. Subsequently, he will give lectures there on the topics of parliamentary reforms and the immunity of judges.
Scott first acted as a defense attorney in a criminal trial in 1793 in Jedburgh.
Due to the nature of his work, Sir Walter spent little time in Edinburgh and traveled extensively around the area, taking part in various court cases. In 1795 he visited Galloway, where he acted as counsel for the accused.
He does not abandon his passion for literature and brings from each of his trips a lot of folklore material, recordings of legends and local myths.
Also in 1795, the Edinburgh Corporation of Lawyers chose him as keeper of the library, since Scott was the most knowledgeable in this matter.
The love of poetry and writing in general has practically no influence on the main work of Walter Scott.
After the creation of the English militia - in 1796 - he joined the Royal Dragoon Regiment, where he was appointed quartermaster.
Since 1799, Scott's articles on legal issues began to be published in the local newspaper. That same year he was appointed Sheriff of Selkirkshire.
In 1806, he was appointed successor to the clerk of the court in Edinburgh, J. Home. In 1812, after the death of the latter, Scott received this position and an income of 1,300 pounds a year. This work requires the writer to be present in court every day, but despite this, his passion for literature does not fade away.
Poetic activity
Walter Scott, whose short biography cannot contain all the events from his most interesting life, traveled a lot in search of ancient ballads and tales that he dreamed of publishing.
His own activity as a writer began with translations. The first experience was the German poet Burger, whose poems ("Lenore", "Wild Hunter") he adapted for the residents of the United Kingdom. Then there was Goethe and his poem "Goetz von Berlichingem".
In 1800, he wrote the first original ballad "Midsummer's Evening". In 1802, his dream came true - the publication “Songs of the Scottish Border” was published, in which all the collected folklore material was published.
Walter Scott, whose biography began to interest admirers of his work, became famous in an instant. From 1807 to 1815 he produced many romantic works, which glorified him as an innovator and a genius of lyric-epic poem.
Prosaic way
When starting to write novels, Walter Scott doubted the success of this endeavor, although he was already known to the public. His first Waverley was published in 1814. Not to say that it gained success and fame, but it was highly appreciated by both critics and ordinary readers.
For a long time, Scott thought about what genre to write his novels in. The author had no doubt that they would be connected with history. But in order to be different from others and bring something new to the literary world, he developed a completely new structure and thereby created a novel. In it, real personalities act only as a background and reflection of the era, and fictional characters whose fate is influenced by historical events come to the fore.
Walter Scott, whose biography and work are united by his love for the past, wrote twenty-eight novels during his life. This is an incredible performance of the writer, because his first novel was published when he was already forty-two years old!
Until 1819, Scott wrote works with a keen socio-historical focus. For example, "The Puritans" (about the rebellion against the Stuart dynasty), "Rob Roy" (about the Scottish Robin Hood), etc.
Afterwards, the themes of his works expanded significantly. If previously the writer was only interested in Scottish history, then now he turns to events in England and France (“Ivanhoe”,
Beginning in 1820, Walter Scott, whose biography would later become a source of inspiration for many writers, published a number of historical works("History of Scotland", "Life of Napoleon Bonaparte").
He became a hero for his country. Walter Scott, a biography whose work was of great importance for the Scots, made the whole world know the history of his homeland thanks to his writings.
Ivanhoe
For the Russian reader, the most significant in the writer’s bibliography is his novel “Ivanhoe.” It is taught at school and read to boys who dream of the glory of a knight, and to romantic girls who yearn for love.
Already in the nineteenth century, this novel was recognized as a classic of literature. The circulation and speed of book sales for that time were simply phenomenal.
The novel's attention is drawn exclusively to English culture. The author describes the events taking place during the reign of Richard the First. The basis of the plot was the struggle between the Saxons and Normans.
The book has been filmed four times and adapted into opera twice.
Death of a Writer
Walter Scott's life was incredibly eventful, successful and, without a doubt, happy. But poor health and complete absence rest made themselves felt.
In 1830, the writer’s arm was paralyzed. And on September 21, 1832, a heart attack occurred, which took the life of Sir Walter.
Personal life
Walter Scott full biography which will be described shortly after the death of the writer, was a faithful and respectable man. He fell in love twice in his life. This happened for the first time in 1791. It was Williamina Belches, the daughter of a lawyer from Edinburgh. But she chose the banker over him.
In 1796, Scott met a Frenchwoman, Charlotte Charpentier, whom he married a year later. The couple had four children (Sophia, Walter, Anna, Charles).
- The author's first novels were published anonymously, and then under the pseudonym Waverly.
- The writer obtained most of his encyclopedic knowledge on his own; for this he only had to read the book once, which once again confirms the fact of his excellent memory.
- It was Scott who coined the term "freelancer" when he used it in his novel Ivanhoe.
