Sir Walter Scott

The Antiquary Sir Walter Scott

The Antiquary (1816) is a novel by Sir Walter Scott about several characters including an antiquary: an amateur historian, archaeologist and collector of items of dubious antiquity. Although he is the eponymous character, he is not necessarily the hero, as many of the characters around him undergo far more significant journeys or change. Instead, he provides a central figure (and location) for other more exciting characters and events - on which he provides a sardonic commentary. The book is written in the third person so the narrative does not remain with the antiquary.