Scott (1875-1929) was an American writer of novels and screenplays. He graduated from Indiana University in 1897 and began his writing career as a reporter for a Louisiana newspaper owned by his brother. As a social activist he was assistant headworker at the University Settlement House where he met his future wife with whom he went on to live at the 'A-Club', a co-operative and 'radical centre'. In 1906 he arranged accommodation for Maxim Gorky during his visit to the USA and the following year he and his wife visited Russia. In addition to publishing several novels, Scott accumulated numerous writing credits for films. This novel was first published in 1921 and was adapted for a silent film in 1925 starring Lionel Barrymore.