Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)
Poet, novelist and critic
Sir Walter Scott was one of the most popular writers of the 19th century. His historical novels and poetry were incredibly successful throughout the world. His most famous novels included 'Waverley', 'Ivanhoe' and 'Rob Roy'.
Murray jointly published some of Scott's works. However his main influence was in the founding of Murray's literary and political review journal the 'Quarterly Review'. He also wrote contributed insightful and intelligent articles. These included reviews of Jane Austen's 'Emma', Lord Byron's 'Childe Harold's Pilgrimage' and Robert Southey's edition of 'Pilgrim's Progress'. He even anonymously reviewed his own anonymous work Tales of my Landlord. It was one of the harshest reviews he received.
In addition to Scott's own letters and manuscript reviews, the John Murray Archive contains much regarding Scott, including letters and manuscripts from the poets Lord Byron and James Hogg, the writer Washington Irving, the publisher Archibald Constable and the critics James Gibson Lockhart and John Ruskin.
Highlighted items from the archive
NRA name: Scott, Sir Walter (1771-1832), 1st Baronet poet and novelist.
The National Register of Archives (NRA) contains information on the nature and location of manuscripts and historical records that relate to British history in archival holdings in the UK and overseas. You can find more information on the National Register of Archives name authority catalogue.