Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Walter Scott was a Scottish poet, novelist, playwright and historian. He remains one of the most well known literary figures of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century and many of his works remain popular today including 'Ivanhoe', 'Rob Roy', 'Waverley' and the narrative poem 'The Lady of the Lake' among others. Scott was offered the position of Poet Laureate in 1813 but declined and the poet Robert Southey was appointed instead. 

"I pretend to no knowledge of such so my opinion ought

to go for nothing"

In his short letter to publisher Charles Tilt, Walter Scott acknowledges the gift of the book 'Landscape illustrations of Waverley' which he greatly admires. The Waverley novels are a long series of novels written by Scott and this book features illustrations based on the areas described in them. There is no date on the letter but it must have been written before 1832 so it is one of the oldest letters in the collection.

View Walter Scott's letter [opens in a new window]

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