Life of JohnsonSamuel Johnson was a poet, essayist, dramatist, and pioneering lexicographer, but his continuing reputation depends less of his modest literary output than on the fortunate accident of finding an ideal biographer in James Boswell. Surely no other biographer can have had more devotion to his subject, more opportunity to study him, or more talent in bringing him vividly to life than Boswell in his Life of Johnson. As Johnson's constant and admiring companion, Boswell was able to record not only the outward events of his life, but also the humour, wit, and sturdy common sense of his conversation. His brilliant portrait of a major literary figure of the eighteenth century, enriched by historical and social detail, remains a monument to the art of biography. |
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Contents
Part of a Review of Graingers Sugar Cane a Poem in the London | 16 |
The False Alarm acknowl | 431 |
Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falklands Islands | 450 |
Preface to Macbeans Dictionary of Ancient Geography acknowl | 478 |
The Patriot acknowl | 568 |
Taxation no Tyranny an Answer to the Resolutions and Address | 590 |
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Common terms and phrases
acquaintance admiration affected afterwards allow answered appeared asked attention authour believe Boswell called character common consider conversation death desire doubt edition English excellent expressed favour Garrick gave give given Goldsmith hand happy hear heard honour hope human instance Italy John Johnson kind King known lady Langton language late learning leave less letter lived London look Lord manner master means mentioned merit mind nature never obliged observed occasion once opinion particular passed perhaps person pleased pleasure present publick published question reason received remarkable remember respect Scotland seemed seen servant shew soon suppose sure talked tell thing thought Thrale tion told true truth whole wish wonder write written wrote young