SIR WALTER SCOTT From the original at the national Portrait Gallery Sketch by Sir E Landseer RA His original signature can be seen at the British Museum, London, on a letter addressed to the Rev Dr Dibdin, on his election to the Roxburgh Club, May 1823. Born 1771 at Edinburgh University. Studied for the Bar, and became advocate in 1792. Appointed in 1799 Deputy Sheriff of Selkirkshire at ?00 a year, and later Clerk of Session in Edinburgh. Made excursions to the borderland, collecting border ballads which he published as "The Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border". First great poem "The Lay of the Last Minstrel", followed by many celebrated productions. A man possessed of every essential gift of literary genius. Buried at Dryburgh Abbey.