Subject
Lexicographers -- Great Britain -- 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.
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.
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.
Leslie Stephen
Samuel Johnson
"Samuel Johnson" by Leslie Stephen is a biographical account written in the late 19th century. The book delves into the life and legacy of Samuel Johnson, exploring various significant aspects of his existence from childhood through to his literary contributions and his relationships with friends and contemporaries. The beginning of the book opens with an examination of Johnson's early life, detailing his background in Lichfield where he was born in 1709 to a bookseller father. This portion highlights the challenges he faced from a young age, including health issues and the influence of his father's ambitions. Johnson's childhood is portrayed as a mix of eccentricity and brilliance, marked by his early intellectual pursuits and social interactions that shaped his character. The narrative weaves in anecdotes about his quirky behavior and remarkable intellectual capacity, setting the stage for the deeper explorations of his literary career and personal struggles that follow in the subsequent chapters.
John Cann Bailey
Dr. Johnson and His Circle
"Dr. Johnson and His Circle" by John Cann Bailey is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the life and influence of Samuel Johnson, a prominent figure in English literature, along with other characters from his circle, particularly James Boswell. It delves into Johnson's lasting legacy, examining how he became emblematic of the English character and the lasting impact of his writings. The opening of the text provides a rich context for understanding Johnson's significance in England, highlighting his widespread recognition even over a century after his death. It reflects on his personality, asserting that he was not only a scholar but also a figure of the common man, known for his relatable wisdom and honesty. The passage establishes a view of Johnson as a "national institution," whose works and reputation were maintained and celebrated, particularly through the efforts of Boswell, who documented Johnson’s life in detail. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their relationship and the broader social, cultural, and literary environment of Johnson's time.
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