Sir Walter Scott
4 Scottish Trailblazers Who Changed the World
No writer has ever been as famous as Sir Walter Scott once was, who was then followed by such total neglect and even hostility. But Scotland as we know it would simply not be Scotland without Sir Walter Scott – most icons of Scottishness have their roots in his life, novels and poems, from Balmoral Castle, to the tartan, from tourism to the Crown Jewels.
Intriguing stories will help you understand what motivated Sir Walter Scott. I’ll identify and analyse his main works, describe the influence that his era, lifestyle, and circumstances had on his work and life. The talk is illustrated with photographs, paintings, scenes from movies, and book covers – you’ll have plenty to look at while you listen.
His legacy was enormous and French writer Stendhal called him “the Father of us all”. Scott invented the historical novel, he started the Scottish tourist industry, he saved the Scottish banknote, and he was a key figure in the Romantic movement. His poems and novels have inspired composers, artists and other writers.
Discover the extraordinary works and legacy of this man who was so loved in his life-time and has been so ignored in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Great series Susannah – I loved the variety of trailblazers, the wonderful slides and I learned so much.
Just a quickie to say how successful (I’m sure), but how interesting and entertaining your four talks on Scottish writers have been. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every Monday afternoon.
Yesterday’s was particularly interesting on Charles Rennie Mackintosh. I have admired his furniture for ages and came to realise how similar his drawings were to Klimpf (as you mentioned) who I have come to know about since a visit to Budapest a few years ago. Isn’t it a shame that these geniuses are not appreciated more in their lifetimes? They have brave fresh ways of looking at the mundane and are not afraid of being less popular, and poorer for it.
I wanted to say thank you yet again for another wonderful lecture series – loved the Scottish trailblazers! Being married to a Scot and having lived over there for 5.5 years, I grew to know about all these trailblazers except for Mary Somerville.
We are great fans of CR Mackintosh – even my husband watched your lecture last night!!
I look forward to more trailblazers as you develop them.
Thanks Susannah, really enjoyed Monday night’s talk.
Thank you Susannah. Have very much enjoyed this talk on video. I was unable to watch in real time so very grateful to have this opportunity.
Jennifer Gray
Thanks for another interesting talk Susannah.
As an adjunct, I’ve just finished watching a show “Scotland in search of Sir Walter Scott” made in 2021, which is currently streaming on SBS On Demand.
I thought you (and your subscribers) may be interested.
Susannah Fullerton
I also watched that programme and really enjoyed it. But thanks for letting me know about it in case I had missed it.