# James Boswell

## Biography

James Boswell was a Scottish lawyer, diarist, and author, born on October 29, 1740, in Edinburgh. He is primarily celebrated for his monumental work, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., widely regarded as the greatest biography in the English language. Boswell first met Samuel Johnson in 1763, and their enduring friendship formed the basis for his detailed and intimate portrayal of Johnson's life and conversations.

Beyond his famous biography, Boswell was a prolific diarist. His extensive private journals, discovered and published in the 20th century, offer a unique and candid glimpse into 18th-century society and his own complex personality, revealing an enlightened yet often tormented man who struggled with various personal demons. He studied law at the University of Edinburgh and practiced as an advocate, though his literary pursuits remained central to his life. Boswell died in London on May 19, 1795, leaving behind a profound legacy in the world of letters.

## Books

- [Boswell's Life of Johnson: Abridged and edited, with an introduction by Charles Grosvenor Osgood](https://samolit.com/books/96337)