Walter Scott

Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a Scottish poet and writer. He was born in Edinburgh on 15 August 1771 and died in Abbotsford on 21 September 1832. Trained as a lawyer, he turned to literature and began his career with narrative poetry, including “The Lay of the Last Minstrel” (1805). His first novel, “Waverley,” was published in 1814 and brought him international recognition. With works such as “Ivanhoe” (1819), “Rob Roy,” and “Quentin Durward,” Scott decisively shaped the historical novel and is traditionally regarded as one of its founders. Many of his novels became classics and served as the basis for stage works, operas, and films.