Abstrakt
The paper is focused on James Hogg and his position in the Sir Walter Scott's circle - a group of intellectuals, who highly influenced British history in the early 19th century. James Hogg was one of few Scott's literary friends, who met Scott before they both became famous.
Back in 1802 James Hogg was just an "ordinary" poor shepherd - who used to write poetry in his free time, and Scott was one of many Scottish sheriffs - who enjoyed collecting old Scottish ballads. Since their first meeting they became lifelong best friends, thus Hogg found himself in the core of Scott's circle.
Hogg had very cordial relationship with many Scott's friends such as William Wordsworth, John Wilson, John Gibson Lockhart, William Allan, Tom Purdie etc. However if we look at Faed's famous painting called "Sir Walter Scott and his Literary Friends at Abbotsford" we can clearly see that Hogg is the only one who is seating on a footstool - that indicates that the painter didn't dare to depict Hogg seating with the others around the table (as their equal).
The paper will explore what was Hogg's real position among Scott's friends: were they all equal?