Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Category: Statue

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)

Standing in the centre of George Square is this huge stone carving of the writer Sir Walter Scott. Scott was one of the greatest writers of the English language, and was prolific in publishing many poems, novels and translations, including "The Lady Of The Lake", "Ivanhoe" and "Rob Roy". Scott also documented the ballads of the Scottish Borders and founded clubs and magazines, as well as famously turning down the role of Poet Laureate in 1813. Having begun his career as a lawyer, he soon became a partner in a printing business and wrote professionally until his death to cover debts. The figure of Scott was designed and modelled by John Greenshields (1792-1838) and was carved by Alexander Handyside Ritchie (1804-1870). The statue stands on top of a fluted Doric column designed by David Rhind (1801-1883), which is intended to show the great importance of Scott and the high esteem he was held in by his fellow Scots. It was the first monument to Sir Walter Scott, and appeared in 1837.