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Lauchlan Macpherson

Biography


Birth: ca. 1740
Death: 1766 in Africa

Son of Donald Macpherson of Breakachie, and Christian Macpherson. In 1759 he became an ensign in the 78th Foot Regiment (known as Fraser's Highlanders). In 1760 he was promoted to Lieutenant. His regiment was disbanded in 1763, but he returned to active service in August, 1765, in a company headed for Africa. The next year he became seriously ill, and died in Africa on December 5, 1766.

According to Boswell "Lord Marischal took a liking to [Macpherson] in Scotland and made him come to Berlin to see the world a little at his Lordship's expense."1

Life with James Boswell

Boswell met Macpherson in Berlin on July 5, 1764, and described him as "a fine, honest, spirited fellow." They spent a lot of time in each other's company during Boswell stay in the city.

Notes

Note 1: Boswell on the Grand Tour I, 1763-1764, July 14, 1764


Mentioned in

Lauchlan Macpherson is mentioned in:

  • Boswell on the Grand Tour: Germany and Switzerland 1763-1764

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Did you know?

For most of his adult life Boswell was better known for his "Account of Corsica", which lead to the sobriquet Corsica Boswell, than for his friendship with Dr. Johnson.

(C) Thomas Frandzen 2004-2010