Sir Walter Scott Books In Order

Publication Order of Waverley Novels Books

Publication Order of Chronicles of the Canongate Books

Publication Order of Hermetica Books

Publication Order of Tales of the Crusaders Books

Publication Order of Tales of My Landlord Books

Publication Order of Tales of a Scottish Grandfather Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Plays

Publication Order of Poetry Books

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Sir Walter Scott was a well known 19th-century Scottish poet, historical novelist, historian, and playwright. Many of his written works are considered classics of the English literature and the Scottish literature. Some of the famous titles penned by him include Old Mortality, Rob Roy, The Heart of Midlothian, Bride of Lammermoor, Ivanhoe, Waverly, Lady of the Lake, etc. Walter was particularly famous for writing the Waverly series of novels. Although Walter is primarily remembered for his political engagement and his extensive literary writings, he was a professional lawyer, judge, and a legal administrator. All his career, he combined editing and writing work with the daily occupation of Session Clerk and Selkirkshire’s Sheriff-Depute. Walter was a prominent member of Edinburgh’s Tory establishment and was a Highland Society’s active member. He served a term of twelve years as the President of Edinburgh’s Royal Society and a period of 2 years as the Vice President of Scotland’s Antiquaries Society.

Walter’s knowledge about the history and his literary technique established him as a seminal personality in the genre of historical novels. Author Walter was born on August 15, 1771, in College Wynd, Edinburgh and died on September 21, 1832, in Abbotsford, Roxburghshire, Scotland. He was the 9th child of his parents, Anne Rutherford and Walter Scott. Both his parents shared the heritage of prosperous families of Scotland. In 1773, Walter was affected by polio and was left lame. This condition had a great impact on his life & writing. For treating his lameness, his parents sent him to grandparents’ farm located at Sandyknowe. There, he learned to read and speak under the guidance of his aunt. In 1778, Walter returned to Edinburgh permanently to start his private education. A year later, he joined the Royal High School. During his school days, Walter was involved in reading poems, chivalric romances, travel, and history books. He also received private tuition for writing and arithmetic from James Mitchell.

James also taught him everything about Scotland Church’s history. Following the completion of his schooling, Walter was sent to live with his aunt in Kelso for 6 months. There, he met John and James Ballantyne, who went on to become his partners in business. Walter wrote and released his first book anonymously under the title of Waverly in 1814. After the success of this novel, he wrote multiple novels over the course of the next 5 years. Each of his earlier novels had a historical setting in Scotland. As Walter was mindful of his popularity as a poet, he maintained his anonymity while writing novels. The ones who were familiar Walter’s poetry were aware of his identity, but he still persisted in keeping his facade because he was worried that his orthodox father won’t approve of his engagement in the trivial pursuit of novel writing. Author Walter was married to Charlotte Carpenter. His son Lt. Walter Scott inherited the possessions and estate of his father after his death.

In 1825, a banking crisis throughout the United Kingdom led to the shutting down of the Ballantyne printing press. Walter was also a partner of this firm with financial interests. The collapse made him indebted and also resulted in his public ruin. Many people came forward to provide financial help to Walter, but he did not accept any of them. He didn’t even declare bankruptcy and continued to write in debt. Walter placed his income and house in a trust fund owned by his creditors. He was determined to overcome all his debt through his writing and produced 6 novels, 2 short stories, 2 plays, a journal, and 11 volumes of nonfiction between 1826 and 1832. Walter acquired typhus after returning from Europe’s grand tour and succumbed to it. At the time of his death, he still owed money to debtors. But, his books continued selling and all his debts were discharged soon after he breathed his last.

A successful novel penned by Sir Walter Scott is entitled ‘Waverly’. It was first released in 1814 and re-released by Penguin Books in 1995. Walter has set this book in Scotland in 1745 and has mentioned the primary characters in the roles of Edward Waverly, Davie Gellatley, Flora McIvor, Rose Bradwardine, etc. The novel opens by introducing Edward Waverly as a gentleman from England. He joins the army on the advice of his dad just before 1745’s Jacobite uprising. When on leave from his training, Waverly visits his family friends in Scotland. As he enjoys the hospitality, Waverly’s head becomes full of romantic notions. Shortly after, Waverly finds himself surrounded by the loyalists of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Waverly finds his honor challenged when others try to push him to Prince Charlie’s side. While in battle, Waverly comes across 2 women and falls in love with one of them. When he shows gentlemanly actions, he gains friends on both sides of the Jacobite uprising. These friends come to his help when he faces risk from the government after the uprising subsides. This novel became so successful and popular that all his subsequent novels were collectively called ‘Waverly Novels’.

Another exciting novel written by Walter is known as ‘Guy Mannering’. It was also published anonymously in 1815. This novel appeared in 3 different volumes in London and Edinburgh. The first edition had 2000 copies and the second and third editions had 5000 copies together. Walter has set this book in the period between 1760 and 1780 in Galloway. Several episodes are also set in Holland, India, and Cumberland. This novel describes the story of Henry Bertram, who gets abducted at the age of 5 by smugglers when he witnessed the killing of a customs officer. The novel then follows the adventures and fortunes of Harry Bertram and the members of his family in the years that follow his kidnapping.

One segment of the novel also shows the struggles of Henry Bertram in inheriting Ellangowan, whose Laird was his father. Walter wonderfully depicted the existence of lawlessness at that time when the coasts were under the control of smugglers and country roads were frequented by thieves. This book received mixed reviews from critics. Many of them gave positive reviews about Walter’s writing style, human nature’s acute knowledge, and his vivid descriptions. The novel was adapted for the stage by an English playwright and Walter’s friend named Daniel Terry. It was premiered on March 12, 1816, in London. Sarah Egerton essayed the role of the lead character Meg Merrilies.