Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) was a popular Scottish historical novelist and poet. Scott was the first English language author to have international popularity during his lifetime. His novels remain popular today. His most famous works include Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, The Lady of The Lake, Waverely, The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor. Set in Scotland, the poem is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day. The poem has three main plots: the contest among three men, Roderick Dhu, James Fitz-James, and Malcolm Graeme, to win the love of Ellen Douglas, the feud and reconciliation of King James V of Scotland and James Douglas, and a war between the lowland Scots (led by James V) and the highland clans (led by Roderick Dhu of Clan Alpine).