Providing a nonpartisan and biographical view of famous authors of his time, Scott published Lives of the Novelists in 1821. The book included names like Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett, Oliver Goldsmith and more.
The only one of Scott's novels set in the 19th century, St. Ronan's Well is the 12th book in Waverley series. The story tells of the conflict between two men, Valentine and his half-brother Francis who both wish to marry Clara Mowbray.