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Engraving on paper from a painting by Saxon, engraved by G.B. Shaw.
Charlotte Margaret Charpentier and Sir Walter Scott met in the Lake District in the autumn of 1797 and after a whirlwind courtship, were married in Saint Mary’s church in Carlisle on Christmas Eve of the same year.
She was French and when they returned to Edinburgh they lived together on George Street in rented accommodation before setting up more permanent residence at 39 North Castle Street, where Charlotte helped develop an attitude of open-house hospitality, which was later instilled at Abbotsford where they received many visitors.
Charlotte has been described as being not beautiful, but was attractive and vivacious. In Scott’s words they ‘proceeded from the most sincere affection’ rather than strong passion.
