Cultural Matters: Scottish Writers Part 1 (Past)

Along with bagpipes and kilts, Scotland is probably best known for its literature. Below are a few of the classic Scottish authors.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Born and educated in Edinburgh before reaching bestselling status in the late 19th Century, Stevenson's best known work is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While based in England, its inspiration is the dual nature of both humanity (specicially with the infamous Edinburgh resident Deacon Brodie) and of Scotland's capital. It has spawned numerous films, TV series, novel sequels, comic and stage adaptations. The most famous is the excellent 1931 version with Frederic March.

It virtually disappeared when MGM released their also good version ten years later with Ingrid Bergman and Spencer Tracy.

The most recent version was the wonderufl BBC mini-series written by Doctor Who producer/writer (and Scotland native) Stephen Moffat, and was called simply Jekyll.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Probably the best-known of Scottish writers here in the US (though usually through TV and films rather than reading). Also from Edinburgh, he was a highly popular author in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, was a master detective. Some have called him the world's first superhero, with his crime solving abilities, his super powers (he was a genius), a loyal sidekick (Watson, like a Victorian-era Robin), and he even had his own arch enemy (the mysterious Moriarty). Though housed at the fictional 221b Baker Street in London, the characters Holmes & Watson were actually based on real Edinburgh residents.

Just last year, two different versions of his character were released. The first, a big Hollywood production with Jude Law and Robert Downey, Jr called Sherlock Holmes. A sequel is in the works.

And then last summer, the BBC released the second (and in my opinion, the superior) version -- a three-part mini series set in the modern day entitled Sherlock.. It was a huge hit in the UK and the US (where it played on PBS) and it will continue this summer. Like Jekyll, it was written and produced by Stephen Moffat.

Sherlock trailer


Sherlock main titles

Robert Burns

Scotland's national poet who wrote in Scots (a Scottish dialect) and standard English, he is known worldwide. In Scotland, his most revered work is A Man's a Man for A' That, about the inherent equality of all people.

Sir Walter Scott

A world famous novelist, poet and plawright from Edinburgh. He most famous works are Ivanhoe, Rob Roy and the The Heart of MidLothian.