Old Mortality with its companion, The Black Dwarf, was published in 1816 and is often thought by some to be Sir Walter Scott's masterpiece. Set in 1679 during the Scottish populist rebellion we remember as the Covenanter uprising, this historical romantic novel tells the story of Henry Morton, a moderate Covenanter, torn between his love for Edith, the granddaughter of royalist Lady Margaret Bellenden, and loyalty to his countrymen's cause. Henry Morton is a hero for the people, one willing to stand up for what he believes and challenge the authority of King Charles II. His actions change the course of Scottish history.

Author Biography

Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet with many contemporary readers in Europe, Australia and North America. Scott's novels and poetry are still read and many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and of Scottish literature. Famous titles include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Old Mortality, The Lady of the Lake, Waverley, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor. Although primarily remembered for his extensive literary works and his political engagement, Scott was an advocate, judge and legal administrator by profession and throughout his career combined his writing and editing work with his daily occupation as Clerk of Session and Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire.