[Unveiled 1872]
1771-1832
b. Edinburgh, Scotland• d. Abbotsford, Roxburgh, Scotland Sculpted: 1871 Sculptor: Sir John Steell 1804-1891• Scotland
Gift of Scottish-Americans
Sitting on a rock with his dog as a
companion, the bronze of Scottish novelist
and poet Sir Walter Scott holds a book and
pen as he overlooks the gateway toLiterary Walk in Central Park.
Scott achieved unprecedented popularity
in his lifetime with his narrative poems and
romantic histories like Ivanhoe (1820) and
Waverley (1814) in which the forces of the
environment greatly influenced the course of
the narrative.
This fact of disposition and style succeeded
in influencing the future course of the
modern novel.
The failure of his book selling and printing
business in 1826 left him in debt and
physically and emotionally shattered.
The quality of the subsequent work he
produced in abundance in an effort to restore
his fortune did little to restore his health.
Overworked and exhausted he set off on
a cruise to Italy a journey, which had little
restorative power. He died soon after his
return in 1832.
