Scott and the Edinburgh Reviewers

Summary of the Talk:

This lecture explored the relationship between Sir Walter Scott and the Edinburgh Review, particularly his interactions with key figures such as Francis Jeffrey, Henry Brougham, Henry Cockburn, and Sydney Smith. Woolman argues that the intellectual environment fostered by the Review played a crucial role in Scott’s literary career and, by extension, in establishing Edinburgh as a major literary hub for thirty years.

Key Themes:

1. Scott’s Literary Ambition and Versatility

• Scott’s career evolved from collecting Scottish ballads (Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border) to translating German works, writing epic poetry, and eventually pioneering the historical novel.
• His drive was fueled by a desire for fame, wealth, and recognition.

2. Friendship and Rivalry with Francis Jeffrey

• Scott and Jeffrey first met at the Speculative Society in the early 1790s. Their relationship was characterized by mutual respect, but also critical friction.
• Jeffrey’s review of Marmion in 1808 was mixed, which contributed to Scott’s eventual disillusionment with the Edinburgh Review.
• Despite their political differences (Scott was a Tory, Jeffrey a Whig), they maintained a complex but lasting friendship.

3. Henry Brougham’s Role in the Review

• Brougham was known for his intelligence but also for his ambition and ruthless criticism.
• Scott distrusted him, referring to him as “the God of Whiggish Idolatry.”
• Brougham’s influence contributed to the Review’s reputation for harsh critiques.

4. The Edinburgh Review’s Influence

• Founded in 1802 by a group of intellectuals, including Jeffrey and Sydney Smith, the Review transformed literary criticism.
• Scott initially contributed reviews but distanced himself after repeated critiques of his work and political content he found objectionable.
• The Review had global reach, with 14,000 subscribers, and wielded great influence in literary and political spheres.

5. Scott’s Shift to the Quarterly Review

• Following his break with the Edinburgh Review, Scott supported the establishment of the Quarterly Review, a Tory-leaning rival.
• This move marked a turning point in his political and literary affiliations.

6. Scott’s Bankruptcy and Enduring Pride

• After Scott’s financial collapse in 1826, he resolved to repay his debts through his writing.
• Despite personal hardship, he maintained his dignity, as observed by contemporaries like Cockburn.

7. Scott’s Legacy and the Edinburgh Literary Scene

• The interplay between Scott and the Edinburgh Reviewers was central to the city’s golden age of literature.
• Even in disagreement, these figures respected each other’s talents, reinforcing Edinburgh’s role as a center of literary excellence.

Notable Insights:

• Scott’s ability to maintain friendships despite literary and political disagreements set him apart as a figure of diplomacy and resilience.
• Jeffrey’s review of Marmion was a turning point in Scott’s career, influencing his pivot toward novels.
• The Friday Club, a social gathering of literary figures including Scott and Jeffrey, demonstrated that their camaraderie endured despite ideological differences.
• Scott’s reputation transcended the Edinburgh Review’s critiques, with his novels achieving international fame.
• Jeffrey’s inscription on the Scott Monument acknowledges Scott’s literary significance, comparing his works to those of Shakespeare.

Conclusion:

Woolman’s lecture illustrates how Scott and the Edinburgh Reviewers were both collaborators and competitors, shaping Scottish literature and intellectual life. Their debates, friendships, and rivalries collectively reinforced Edinburgh’s cultural pre-eminence in the early 19th century. 

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