James Hogg is the author of The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner said to be an influence on Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He also wrote an amusing parody of Coleridge's Christabel, called Isabelle.

Hogg, working as a shepherd, became acquainted with Sir Walter Scott, who shared his interest in traditional Scottish poetry and oral narratives. He introduced Scott to the poetry and ballads which provided the raw materials for his Lay of the Last Minstrel. Hogg joked that it was Scott who drove him to write novels, for As long as Sir Walter Scott wrote poetry there was neither man nor woman ever thought of either reading or writing any thing but poetry. But the instant that he gave over writing poetry there was neither man nor woman ever read it more! All turned to tales and novels which I was reluctantly obliged to do.

Hogg's mother was displeased with his ballad collecting, complaining,

there was never ane o' my songs prentit till ye prentit them yoursell, an' ye hae spoilt them a'thegither. They war made for singing, an' no for reading; and they're nouther right spelled nor right setten down.