Francis Watt

Born in Haddington in 1849, Francis Watt studied at the University of Edinburgh, later continued his studies at Heidelberg, and was eventually called to the bar. Even so, writing seems to have been his real gift. An obituary in The Times describes him as a scholar and stylist who spent much of his life around the Temple in London, while also building a career as a man of letters.

Watt moved easily between law, journalism, and literary work. He was associated with W. E. Henley on the National Observer, wrote for major newspapers, and for some years served as deputy librarian of the Middle Temple. His books included The Law's Lumber Room, Edinburgh and the Lothians, The Book of Edinburgh Anecdote, and The Canterbury Pilgrims and Their Ways.

He is also remembered for his connection to Robert Louis Stevenson. Watt had known Stevenson in Edinburgh and later wrote R. L. S., a biography noted for its personal touch. That mix of learning, affection, and lively prose helps explain why his work still appeals to readers interested in literature, old cities, and the texture of everyday history.