John Galt
1) The Provost
John Galt's ambitious novel Ringan Gilhaize presents a detailed historical account of the rise of opposing religious factions in Scotland in the early modern period. Told by the eponymous character, the story begins with the life of Ringan's grandfather and proceeds to the period of Ringan himself, detailing virtually every significant event in the country's history along the way.
Painter Benjamin West was an important figure in art history, as he was born in what later became the United States in 1738 and was reaching his creative peak just as the Revolutionary War broke out. As such, he is regarded as one of the first significant painters to focus on American history as his subject. This comprehensive biography of West is a must-read for art lovers.
The lives of the humble Pringle family of Scotland are turned upside down with the news that they have been named the recipients of a relative's inheritance. Trading quiet village life for the hustle and bustle of London is a difficult transition, and the family documents the bumpy ride in a series of letters to friends and relatives.
8) The Entail
Scottish writer John Galt is hailed by many critics as one of the first authors to explicitly take on political themes in his fiction. In The Entail, Galt tackles the touchy issue of the value of inherited wealth as opposed to that which is earned and accumulated through one's own labor.
Immerse yourself in the life of a small Scottish village as it begins to shake off centuries-old traditions and eases into the transition to the modern era, with all the attendant pitfalls and problems that such a major shift entails. Author John Galt skillfully illuminates a particular time and place with lush detail and keen insight.