Walter Scott

:For the first Premier of Saskatchewan see Thomas Walter Scott

Early days

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1771, the son of a Scottish solicitor of limited means, the young Walter Scott survived a childhood bout of polio that would leave him lame in his right leg for the rest of his life. To restore his health he was sent to live for some years in the rural Scottish Borders region at his grandparents' farm at Sandyknowe. Here he learned the speech patterns and many of the tales and legends which characterized much of his work. Also, for his health, he spent a year in Bath, England.

Related Topics:
Edinburgh - Scotland - 1771 - Solicitor - Polio - Scottish Borders - Bath

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He also learned by heart James Macpherson's Ossian poems, which it was claimed at the time were translations dating back to the Middle Ages, but later discredited when this was found to be untrue.

Related Topics:
James Macpherson - Ossian - Middle Ages

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After studying law at Edinburgh University, he followed in his father's footsteps and became a lawyer in Edinburgh. As a lawyer's clerk he made his first visit to the Scottish Highlands directing an eviction. He was admitted advocate in 1792. He had an unsuccessful love affair with Williamina Belsches of Fettercairn, who married Sir William Forbes.

Related Topics:
Edinburgh University - Scottish Highlands - Advocate - Williamina Belsches of Fettercairn - William Forbes

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