Discuss anything related to the great biographer, his friends and family, his life, his Auchinleck estate, etc.
Other than Boswell's short account in the 'Tour', do we have a record of the argument between Dr Johnson and Boswell's father that took place on 6 November 1773? I read that Walter Scott gave a version of it, though not a reliable one.
Hi! I am looking for any info about Boswell's visit to Galloway House during his Harvest Jaunt in 1762. Specifically, if he mentions any of the younger daughters of the 6th earl. These would be the sisters of John Stewart that is mentioned in the London Journal. Thank you for any help!!
You can have Pepys' diary sent in a daily email https://www.pepysdiary.com/about/formats/. I wonder if anyone might consider developing the same service for James Boswell's diaries.
Dear Boswell experts,
I am an editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. Whilst revising the word 'devilled', I have come across a mysterious reference to a comment made by James Boswell that we can't find in his writings. I was wondering if any of you reading this forum could help us find this 'missing' passage from Boswell's writings.
The webmaster inadvertently deleted a recent post by a visitor to this site. The original poster asked for any criticism of Boswell's 1791 poem No Abolition of Slavery, which the poster guessed was written tongue-in-cheek rather than as actual support for slavery.
To my knowledge, it has hitherto been the consensus of scholars that Boswell was an apologist for slavery, whereas Dr. Johnson was against it. But there may be some analysis and criticism that I don't know about.
Anyone?
Best wishes,
Thomas
I recently found a journal entry describing the first impressions of Frances Burney toward JB that I had not known had existed. It is not recorded in the "Life", or in Boswell's journal.
(Memoirs of Dr. Burney 1832, ii pp 190-196) Pretty strong stuff, and, and a pretty negative depiction of Boswell's personality, but that being said it is a picture so richly painted that it would have been something that Boswell would have loved if it had been about someone ELSE!
The poem has the following section in it:
That once, 'tis thought, a tower of strength had been;
The whole a port of note in by-gone age,
As may be read in Boswell's* ample page.
I am assuming that he is referring to James Boswell does any body knowwhat lies behind this reference, did Boswell visit Lympne and see the ruins of the old Roman fort
Hello Boswell Info,
We are planning a 10 day trip to Scotland and wish to see as many James Boswell sights as possible.
A couple of questions if you do not mind,
Are there any sights that might be missed by the common tourist that you would could suggest?
Would you be able to tell us of a "Boswell" guide for a 90 minute or so walk through Edinburgh?
There are two of us - she is a College Professor, I am a Customs broker.
Many thanks,