Author. Born in Paisley, Picken involved himself in commercial ventures in Glasgow, Liverpool and the West Indies. Unsuccessful in his business career, Picken went to London to establish himself as an author.
His first works, Tales and Sketches of the West of Scotland and The Sectarian (1829), caused some offence in non-conformist religious circles. However, The Dominies Legacy (1830), was successful and Travels and Researches of Eminent Missionaries (1830) restored Picken's reputation amongst those he had earlier offended. The Black Watch was published in 1833 shortly before his death.
