It is by no means hyperbole—though it is certainly arguable—to call James MacPherson “The Father of Modern Scottish Literature”. Nor would it be overselling it to call him “One of the Fathers of Modern (Anglophone) Fantasy”. His fantastical tales of Fingal and Ossian were admired by Sir Walter Scott and Robert E. Howard. The Ossianic tales opened up new vistas for fantasy in Great Britain and across Europe.
Read MoreSir Walter Scott turned two hundred and fifty yesterday. Descended from bloody Border Reivers, he created the market for historical fiction novels. In the process, Walter inspired everyone from Leonid Tolstoy to George R.R. Martin. Robert E. Howard and Michael Moorcock as well.
Read MoreJane Porter wrote one of the very first modern historical novels, The Scottish Chiefs, in 1809. In 1921, Charles Scribner's Sons reissued an edited version of Porter's novel. They gave it the deluxe treatment , with a stunning dustjacket, endpapers and interior illustrations by the legendary N.C. Wyeth.
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