Profession:Writer
Biography: Walter Scott is credited with having created the historical novel genre. He further wrote many famous works that are considered classics today such as "Rob Roy" (1817) and "The Heart of Mid-Lothian" (1818).
Scott started out as a poet, first becoming an established figure through publishing popular works like "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" (1805), "Marmion" (1808), and "The Lady of the Lake" (1810).
In 1814, Scott published "Waverley," a novel set in the past. He followed it with a series of "Waverley Novels" such as "Ivanhoe" (1819) that were very successful. These established historical fiction as a major type of literature.
Scott was an important person in Edinburgh. He helped find the lost Scottish crown jewels in 1818 and organized an event for King George IV's visit in 1822. The king later made Scott a baronet in 1820.
In 1825, Scott had financial problems when his business partner went bankrupt and he found himself in a great deal of debt. Scott thereafter set out to pay this back by writing more books.
Even though his wife died in 1826 and his health was poor, Scott kept writing even in his last years. These included a biography ofNapoleon in 1827 and the "Tales of a Grandfather" stories from 1828 to 1831.
Born:August 15,1771
Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
Star Sign:Leo
Died:September 21,1832 (aged 61)
Career Highlights
- 1814-07-07 Walter Scott's novel "Waverley" published
Dick King-Smith
Elizabeth Smart
James Patterson
Jean Cocteau
Roald Dahl
Samuel Pepys