John Galt (1779 – 1839) is perhaps best known for his novels and particularly the political novels such as 'The Member' and 'The Radical'.

His own life was a mixture of literary and business endeavours. He largely failed in his business adventures but he is remembered for his contributions to Scottish letters. The stories in the collection are: The Howdie, Sawney at Doncaster, The Aunt in Virginia, The Chief: or, the Gael and the Sassenach, The Joke, My Father’s House, The Gudewife, The Mem, The Metropolitan Emigrant.