Clan Scott Society Honors UW Professor

The Clan Scott Society recently presented its highest award, the Order of the Stag, to Caroline McCracken-Flesher, a professor in the University of Wyoming Department of English.

The award recognizes her “outstanding scholarship and study of Scottish literature, particularly that of Sir Walter Scott, and your desire to share your knowledge with the Clan Scott Society.” The award is presented to only one individual in any given year.

Based in the United States, Clan Scott Society members may reside anywhere in the world. Clan Scott is devoted to the sharing, advancement, study and preservation of the culture, values, history, lore and art of the Scottish Border Family/Clan Scott and its related families.

“Our honoree is one of the most prominent scholars of Sir Walter Scott and his works, having published books about Scott, organized academic conferences about him and given lectures about Scott -- all the while she is an eager, engaging and enthusiastic member of the Clan Scott Society,” McCraken- Flesher’s citation noted.

McCracken-Flesher currently is on sabbatical in Scotland where, among other things, she is studying the guest registry at Abbotsford to find who has visited Scott’s home. One previously overlooked name she discovered was Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), originator of the exclamation “Great Scott!” McCracken-Flesher is scheduled to address the Edinburgh of Sir Walter Scott this fall, and will give a lecture on Scottish literature in the Scottish Parliament in late November.

McCracken-Flesher received a Master of Arts degree from Edinburgh University, Scotland, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Brown University. She also spent two years at Oxford University as a graduate student. She has received numerous awards for teaching and research, including UW's highest teaching honor, the John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award.