Scott

Author: Chen Xu, Zhao Xiao (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: We are delighted to recommend the "Giant Biographies Series" to young friends. At the turn of the century, having such a fine series accompany you is a joy in wisdom. We believe that from the footsteps of these giants and masters, you can learn how to properly handle success and failure, comfort and hardship, joy and pain, smoothness and adversity, and understand how to face life, how to be a person, how to seek knowledge, how to shape oneself, and how to shape the future.
Principal of Peking University High School, Zhao Yulin; Secretary, Dong Lingsheng
Every great figure with global influence holds a deeply moving story within them. Their rich experiences and life lessons, their spirit of struggle and elements of success, their pursuit of excellence and ability to seize opportunities, undoubtedly have a great inspirational and educational role for today's youth.
Principal of Tsinghua University High School, Zhao Qinggang
Giants are the elite of humanity, having made outstanding contributions to the progress and civilization of human society. Their spirit of struggle and extraordinary achievements are deeply admired by people, becoming models for others to learn from. Giants are human, not gods; they come from ordinary people yet surpass them. Their lofty ideals and belief in serving the motherland and humanity drive them to strive tirelessly and fear no difficulties.
Principal of Tianjin Nankai High School, Kang Xiuyan
To carefully read this series is like seeing their appearance, speech, and actions, and feeling their ideals, beliefs, aspirations, and moral character. This will help you learn how to be a person, how to pursue knowledge, and how to build a career.
Principal of Fudan University Affiliated High School, Cao Tianren
Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a famous British writer born into a declining noble family in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. He passed away in 1832. At 18 months, Scott contracted polio, resulting in leg paralysis. Yet with extraordinary perseverance, he overcame his disability and learned to ride and hunt. At the age of 12, he entered the University of Edinburgh and became a lawyer after graduation, serving for eight years. In 1799, he was appointed Vice-Principal of Selkirkshire, and seven years later, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Edinburgh High Court, serving until his death.
Scott greatly admired German "Storm and Stress literature" and translated the famous German folk song "The Lady of the Lake." In 1802, he published "Two Lays of the Scottish Border." In 1805, his significant work, "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," was released. Afterward, he invested in the printing industry. In 1808, he published the poem "Marmion," followed by a series of other poems such as "Lady of the Lake," "The Bride of Triermain," and "The Lord of the Isles." His last long poem was "The Lady of the Lake."
Scott's poetry is filled with romantic adventure stories and was deeply popular among readers. However, Byron's poetic talent overshadowed Scott's at the time, leading Scott to turn to novel writing, thereby pioneering the genre of historical fiction in England and providing the British literary world with over 30 great historical novels. His earliest historical novel, "Waverley," was published in 1813 and was based on Scottish history. His well-known historical novels about English history include "Ivanhoe" (also titled "A Knight of the Saxon Court"), while his novels about European history include "Quentin Durward" and "The Bards of the Renown." Additionally, he wrote biographies such as "The Life of the Novelists" and "The Life of Napoleon."
Scott's novels feature romantic and complex plots, with fluent and vivid language. Many outstanding writers in later generations were deeply influenced by him. In European literary history, Scott is renowned for his prolific output, and even Balzac was amazed by his speed of writing. His main contribution lies in historical fiction.