Walter Scott
Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Father of Historical Novel
The Scottish Lion of Literature
Walter Scott invented the historical novel as a form — which means he is responsible for almost everything from War and Peace to Game of Thrones. His Waverley novels introduced the idea that you could use fictional characters to explore real historical events and make the past emotionally accessible. He was the most popular novelist in the world for 30 years.
Leo Legacy
- Ivanhoe: 1820 — introduced medieval chivalry to mass popular consciousness
- Waverley: 1814 — the first major historical novel, published anonymously
- Rob Roy: 1817 — Scottish Highland hero, romanticizing Scotland for the world
- Debt repayment: Worked himself to death over 5 years to repay debts from publisher’s bankruptcy — Leo honor
Scott’s Leo literary ambition was matched only by his equally Leo sense of honor about his debts.
“The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.”