Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart

This celebrated seven-volume biography (1837–8) draws on personal accounts of Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), correspondence and autobiographical sketches.

John Gibson Lockhart (Author)

9781108057028, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 13 November 2012

408 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm, 0.52 kg

As son-in-law and literary executor to Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), John Gibson Lockhart (1794–1854) was uniquely placed to produce a definitive biography of the great poet and novelist. First published in 1837–8, shortly after Scott's death, this celebrated seven-volume work is based on personal memories, correspondence, and Scott's own autobiographical sketches. Wide-ranging in his purview, Lockhart is also detailed in his descriptions: the Aberdeen Journal of the day observed that the volumes trace Scott's life and literary efforts with 'the most minute distinctness'. Volume 6 covers the years 1825–6, during which Scott experienced literary triumph with the publication of Tales of the Crusaders (1825), continued to work on Woodstock (1826), and took an excursion to Ireland. The closing chapters cover the banking crises of 1825 and hint at the financial catastrophes that were to plague the author until his death seven years later.

1. Marriage of Lieutenant Walter Scott
2. Excursion to Ireland
3. Life of Napoleon in progress
4. Sir Walter's diary begun Nov. 20, 1825
5. Constable in London
6. Extracts from James Ballantyne's memoranda
7. Diary resumed
8. Domestic afflictions
9. Diary resumed
10. Woodstock
11. Journey to London and Paris.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB]