John Macrone, who wrote this life of Scott in 1832-3, was admirably suited to the task; for, while he had never met Scott, his friends and associates included Cunningham, Galt, and Hogg, who wrote his Anecdotes of Scott for publication in Macrone's book. A quarrel with Lockhart, however, put a stop to the project, and nothing more was heard of it until the recent discovery of an autograph manuscript, here edited and published for the first time. A well-written and carefully-researched narrative, it increases our knowledge of Scott's life and work as perceived by his contemporaries, as well as enabling us to read Hogg's Anecdotes in their original context. The editor's introduction draws extensively on uncollected and unpublished material to illuminate Macrone's career, in the course of which he became the friend and publisher of Dickens, Thackeray, and Moore.

The Scottish writer and editor, John Gibson Lockhart, published his first full attempt at a biography of his late father-in-law in 1837. This is Volume 7 of a new reprint of that Seven Volume edition. By the time of its appearance, comment on the earlier volumes was being received by Lockhart - who responds to the criticism and defends his strategy of exploring Scott's life and character is great detail. 'I conceive it to be probable that [ ... ] the student of history, and especially of manners, would not be sorry to have access to him "in his habit as he lived."' The account opens in late 1826 with the 55-year-old Scott feeling his age and resenting time not spent writing. Yet, despite increasing ill-health, the years that follow contain a full and now familiar mix of publishing, professional and political life, correspondence, excursions in Britain and Europe, and reflections on the events of the day. The story of Scott's last journey back to Abbotsford is followed by Lockhart's Conclusion, A List of Publications and and Index of Names (covering all volumes). Published simultaneously w th this reprint is a volume bringing together the 1838 publication Refutation of the Mistatements and Calumnies contained in Mr Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart respecting The Messrs Ballantyne, Lockhart's response to 'The Ballantyne-Humbug' and the Ballantyne Trust's subsequent retort.

The Scottish writer and editor, John Gibson Lockhart, published his first full attempt at a biography of his late father-in-law in 1837. This is Volume 2 of a new reprint of that Seven Volume edition. These are the years from 1804 to 1812, in which the story of many important personal and literary milestones - including the purchase of land at Abbotsford, partnership with James Ballantyne, work on Marmion, Dryden and Swift, and the beginning of The Quarterly Review - mix with fascinating accounts of domestic and social life, from the politics of The Peninsula War and an ever widening Correspondence to Excursions in England and Scotland. Published simultaneously w th this reprint is a volume bringing together the 1838 publication Refutation of the Mistatements and Calumnies contained in Mr Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart respecting The Messrs Ballantyne, Lockhart's response to 'The Ballantyne-Humbug' and the Ballantyne Trust's subsequent retort.

The Scottish writer and editor, John Gibson Lockhart, published his first full attempt at a biography of his late father-in-law in 1837. This is Volume 1 of a new reprint of that Seven Volume edition. The story begins with the 'Ashetiel fragment', autobiographical notes - written in 1808 and found in an old cabinet at Abbotsford - which tell of Scott's early life before his call to the Bar in July 1792. Lockhart follows this with his own 'Illustrations' of and reflections on Scott's history and character in this period of school, apprenticeship and study, plus early travel, debate and correspondence. He then sets his own pace for the story of 'literary anecdote and private history' - from courtship and marriage, to The Edinburgh Review, in the years 1793 to 1804. Published simultaneously w th this reprint is a volume bringing together the 1838 publication Refutation of the Mistatements and Calumnies contained in Mr Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart respecting The Messrs Ballantyne, Lockhart's response to 'The Ballantyne-Humbug' and the Ballantyne Trust's subsequent retort.