Thomas Carlyle lived from December 4, 1795 to February 5, 1881.  He was renown as a Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist and teacher.  One of his most famous lectures was on the role of the Great Man or men who shape the flow of human history.

One of his most famous essays pertained to the Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott.

You can read the essay here:

http://www.bartleby.com/25/5/1.html

Another perspective on the relevance of Sir Walter Scott may be viewed here: