ABSTRACT
In the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey Lockhart’s tomb lies at the feet of Scott’s and Charlotte’s, in the time-honoured position of the faithful and protective servant. Scott’s named literary executor, already anticipated many times in the accounts given above, published his Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Bart, in 7 volumes in 1837–8. Lockhart’s Life of Scott, the profits of which went towards paying off the debts on Scott’s estate, was not his first biographical work. His Life of Bums appeared in 1828 and his Life of Napoleon a year later. Lockhart edited the Quarterly until 1853, the year before his death, but long before this he had led an isolated existence in London. Lockhart’s Life was intensively compiled, intensely considered and extensively commented on. One of the most revealing facts of Scott’s career is that so many people, in reviews and private papers, recorded their reactions to Lockhart.
