Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a Scottish writer famous for his poetry and historical novels, including “The Bride of Lammermoor”, “Ivanhoe” and “Rob Roy”. As a child, he contracted polio, which left him lame. Fascinated by Scottish stories, he began writing as a sideline from his daily work as a municipal clerk. After achieving worldwide fame for his poetry, he began writing novels in 1814 when he published “Waverley”. Though published anonymously to protect his reputation as a poet, the blockbuster success of his novels eventually led him to take credit for them. He continues to be one of the most widely read authors in the English language.