This first volume in the Research Edition series contains all of Boswell's known correspondence with his close friend through 30 years, John Johnston of Grange. It also contains a number of letters between Boswell and other correspondents, concerning Johnston and his affairs, following his death in July 1786.

Three appendixes are included. One on The Johnstons of Grange, one concerning Johnston's age (which has been the subject of some speculation) and one concerning Lines possibly contributed by Boswell and Erskine to The North Briton, No. 41