Boswell's Life of Johnson: Abridged and edited, with an introduction by Charles Grosvenor Osgood

James Boswell

Sep 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Boswell's Life of Johnson" (Abridged and edited, with an introduction by Charles Grosvenor Osgood) by James Boswell. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

About the author

James Boswell (1740–1795), a Scottish biographer and diarist, is best regarded for his seminal work 'Boswell's Life of Johnson', in which he intricately chronicled the life of the English literary figure Samuel Johnson. As a man of letters himself, Boswell was born in Edinburgh and educated at the University of Edinburgh and Utrecht University. His pursuit of a literary career led him to London, where his association with Johnson began. Boswell's penchant for detailed observation and his innovative approach to biography have rendered his work a classic in the genre. In 'Life of Johnson', first published in 1791, Boswell combined meticulous research with personal anecdotes, providing an intimate and engaging portrayal of Johnson's complex character and literary genius. The biography remains a model of its kind for its vividness and insight. Boswell's narrative technique, which included the inclusion of dialogue and the author's own interpretations of events and personality, greatly influenced the evolution of biographical writing. Beyond 'Life of Johnson', Boswell's contributions to literature include a variety of journals and travel accounts, yet it is his remarkable capacity to capture the singular essence of his subjects which solidifies his enduring reputation in literary history.