Providing a reassessment of John Hill Burton, a significant figure in 19th-century Scottish thought, this book presents a revision of the predominant historiographic interpretation of nineteenth-century Scotland. It traces Burton's remarkably diverse social and intellectual acquaintance, and equally varied literary endeavours, from his early life and education in 1820s Aberdeen to his increasingly prominent profile in the Edinburgh of Scott, Jeffrey and Cockburn. A detailed assessment of Burton's History of Scotland (1873) uncovers major themes which are then related to his formative experiences in the social and cultural world of his time. This analysis and an examination of the enthusiastic reception of the work at home and abroad overturn orthodox assumptions of the 'death' of Scottish history in the 19th century.