How does the multifaceted life and prolific literary output of Sir Walter Scott reconcile with his diminished reputation in the twentieth century? A. N. Wilson, an established biographer and novelist, utilizes a critical biographical framework to re-examine Scott’s dual existence as a public literary figure and a private man of affairs. By analyzing both canonical works and obscure texts, Wilson argues that Scott’s true genius was obscured by the hagiography of Victorian idolators and subsequent modern neglect. The text seeks to restore Scott’s original stature by situating his creative output within the practical realities of his roles as a lawyer, landowner, and family man.

Critics often note that Wilson provides a provocative and accessible entry point for those interested in the complexities of Scott’s career. Scholars frequently highlight the book as a useful corrective to the polarized views of Scott that have persisted throughout the twentieth century.