Subject
Authors, English -- 18th century -- Biography Books
Best books
James Boswell
Boswell's Life of Johnson Abridged and edited, with an introduction by Charles Grosvenor Osgood
"Boswell's Life of Johnson" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791 about English writer Samuel Johnson. Often called the greatest biography in English, this landmark work recreates Johnson's life through detailed conversations and scenes drawn from Boswell's extensive journals. Though the two men spent only about 250 days together over twenty-two years, Boswell crafted an enduring portrait that blends myth with complexity, capturing Johnson's moral wisdom, personal eccentricities, and struggle with despair in vivid detail.
William Godwin
Memoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of Woman
"Memoirs of the Author of a Vindication of the Rights of Woman" by William Godwin is a biography published in 1798. Written just months after his wife Mary Wollstonecraft's death, Godwin presents an unusually frank portrait of her life—including details eighteenth-century British society deemed scandalous. Inspired by Rousseau's "Confessions," he reveals her love affairs, illegitimate child, and suicide attempts. The memoir sparked immediate controversy, forcing revisions and damaging reputations, yet it remains an invaluable document of Wollstonecraft's extraordinary life and emerging biographical practices.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 4 1780-1784
"Life of Johnson, Volume 4" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This landmark work chronicles the final years of Samuel Johnson, the celebrated English writer and literary critic. Drawing from Boswell's meticulous journals, the biography recreates Johnson's life through vivid scenes and extensive conversations. Though Boswell spent only 250 days with Johnson, he crafted what became a universal critical success—hailed by many as the greatest biography written in English and among the finest nonfiction works ever created.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 1 1709-1765
"Life of Johnson, Volume 1" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This landmark work chronicles the final twenty-two years of English writer Samuel Johnson's life through detailed journal entries and meticulously recorded conversations. Drawing from Boswell's extensive daily journals, the book recreates Johnson's "life in scenes," capturing his wit, wisdom, and moral struggles. Praised from publication as a masterpiece, it revolutionized biographical writing and remains one of the most celebrated nonfiction works in English literature, offering both historical insight and enduring literary achievement.
Austin Dobson
Horace Walpole: A memoir With an appendix of books printed at the Strawberry Hill Press
"Horace Walpole: A Memoir" by Austin Dobson is a biographical account written in the late 19th century. The memoir details the life and legacy of Horace Walpole, an influential figure in British politics and culture, notably remembered as the son of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain’s first Prime Minister. The narrative covers Walpole's formative years, education, and travels, alongside anecdotes and insights into his character and literary contributions. At the start of this memoir, we are introduced to the Walpole family lineage and the origins of Horace Walpole, who was born on September 24, 1717. The narrative describes his childhood, education, and early influences, including a noteworthy anecdote of his childhood meeting with King George I. Additionally, the opening delves into the complicated relationship between Horace and his father, expressing both admiration and the contrasting nature of their personalities. It sets the stage for the exploration of Walpole's life, highlighting the events that shaped him into the significant literary and political figure he would become.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 5 Tour to the Hebrides (1773) and Journey into North Wales (1774)
"Life of Johnson, Volume 5" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This landmark work chronicles the final years of Samuel Johnson, the renowned English writer and literary critic. Drawing from Boswell's meticulous journals, the book recreates Johnson's life through vivid scenes and recorded conversations. Despite covering only the last twenty-two years of Johnson's existence, it became universally acclaimed and is often called the greatest biography in English. The work masterfully balances myth and reality, presenting Johnson as both moral hero and complex human being.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 2 1765-1776
"Life of Johnson, Volume 2" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This landmark work chronicles the final twenty-two years of Samuel Johnson's life, England's great writer and literary critic. Drawing from extensive journals and detailed conversations, Boswell recreates Johnson's world through vivid scenes and dialogue. Often called the greatest biography in English, it reveals a complex moral hero struggling with despair and personal eccentricities while displaying penetrating wisdom. The work transformed biographical writing and remains both an invaluable historical source and enduring literary masterpiece.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 3 1776-1780
"Life of Johnson, Volume 3" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This landmark work chronicles the final twenty-two years of Samuel Johnson's life through Boswell's detailed journal entries and collected conversations. Often called the greatest biography written in English, it recreates Johnson's "life in scenes" through vivid dialogue and intimate observations. The book reveals both Johnson's moral wisdom and personal struggles, transforming extensive notes into an enduring literary masterpiece that has captivated readers for over two centuries.
James Boswell
Life of Johnson, Volume 6 Addenda, index, dicta philosophi, etc.
"Life of Johnson, Volume 6" by James Boswell is a biography published in 1791. This groundbreaking work chronicles the life of English writer Samuel Johnson, widely regarded as the greatest biography written in English. Drawing from Boswell's detailed journals spanning twenty-two years of friendship, the book recreates Johnson's life through vivid scenes and conversations. Though critics debate its biographical accuracy and note its focus on Johnson's later years, the work remains a landmark in biographical literature and an enduring portrait of one man's complex moral character.
Lewis Melville
Life And Letters Of John Gay (1685-1732), Author of "The Beggar's Opera"
"Life and Letters of John Gay (1685-1732), Author of 'The Beggar's Opera'" by Lewis Melville is a biographical account published in the early 20th century. It delves into the life of John Gay, a notable figure in 18th-century literature, best known for his work "The Beggar's Opera" as well as his original pastorals and fables. The narrative chronicles Gay's relationships with contemporary literary figures like Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Lady Suffolk, shedding light on both his literary accomplishments and personal trials. The opening of the book provides insights into Gay's early years, marking his lineage and upbringing in Devonshire, England. It discusses his family's background, their eventual decline, and his education, leading to his later life in London where he struggled for recognition. The text highlights Gay's friendships and connections with influential writers of his time, painting a vivid picture of his social life amidst the literary salons. The detail about Gay's initial attempts at authorship, including clues about his aspirations and disappointments, sets the stage for a richer understanding of the man whose works would eventually earn him a lasting literary legacy.
G. M. (Gertrude M.) Godden
Henry Fielding: a Memoir Including Newly Discovered Letters and Records with Illustrations from Contemporary Prints
"Henry Fielding: a Memoir" by G. M. Godden is a detailed biographical account that draws upon newly discovered letters and records to explore the life of Henry Fielding, the renowned English novelist, and playwright, likely written in the early 20th century. The memoir seeks to enhance the understanding of Fielding not merely as a significant literary figure but also as a complex man, shedding light on his childhood, his relationships, and his various contributions, including his role as a magistrate and social reformer. The opening of the memoir presents Fielding's early years, detailing his birth in the historically rich backdrop of Sharpham Park, Somersetshire, and the influence of his family’s status on his upbringing. Godden outlines Fielding's lineage, examining the early challenges his family faced, including the death of his mother and the subsequent economic struggles after his father's remarriage, which deeply affected young Fielding's education and character. The narrative introduces essential themes of resilience and humor, setting the stage for understanding how Fielding’s formative experiences nurtured his literary voice and shaped the moral lessons he would weave into his later works.
Austin Dobson
Fielding
"Fielding" by Austin Dobson is a biographical account focusing on the life and works of the English novelist and playwright Henry Fielding, written in the late 19th century. The book aims to present a thorough examination of Fielding's life, correcting past misconceptions and offering fresh insights into his personal and professional experiences. The opening of the memoir outlines Fielding's lineage and early years, detailing his birth into an ancient family and the influences that shaped his literary career. It presents a broad picture of his upbringing, education at Eton, and the early romantic escapades that hinted at his later literary pursuits. Dobson introduces various anecdotes about Fielding's family and education while alluding to his gradual emergence into the world of theater and his budding interest in playwriting, laying the groundwork for understanding Fielding's character as a dramatist and novelist.
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