Author - Sir Walter Scott

Scott was born in 1771 in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. His father was a solicitor and, after university, Walter became apprenticed to his father. He was called to the bar in 1792 and was appointed the Sheriff Depute for Selkirk 7 years later. At this time his literary career was just a hobby. After translating some German works, the first poems by Scott himself were published in 1802 and he shot to fame when Lay of the Last Minstrel caught the public’s imagination 3 years later. He then moved from poetry to novels in 1814 when Waverly was published.

Scott wrote more than 20 novels in total, including Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. In addition he had 13 books of poetry, 2 short story collections and 20 works of non-fiction published, together with 5 plays. He died in 1832 at the age of 61.

Sir Walter Scott is the author of many classics of both English and Scottish literature. Test your knowledge of him with this quiz.