James Beattie work uncovered in Sir Walter Scott's library

A 9,000-word poem by Scottish scholar James Beattie has been discovered in Sir Walter Scott's library in the Scottish Borders.

The ‘Grotesquiad’ is the latest in a series of finds at Abbotsford House during online cataloguing by the Faculty of Advocates.  Scottish literature lecturer Dr Rhona Brown said the discovery was "exhilarating for many reasons", and that it showed the “wealth and worth” of Scott's library.

James Beattie was born in 1735 at Laurencekirk in the north east of Scotland.  The son of a farmer, he became professor of moral philosophy at Aberdeen University and was a strong opponent of slavery.  He is also regarded as a strong influence on William Wordsworth.

The ‘Grotesquiad’, Beattie's poem in four volumes, is gaining increased recognition among literary scholars.  Dr Brown, of the University of Glasgow, said the discovery was an “important milestone” in studies of 18th century Scottish literature. 

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