Boswell's Life of Johnson

The biography presents an intricate portrait of Dr. Samuel Johnson, crafted by James Boswell, who first encountered Johnson in 1763. Recognized for its engaging depictions of Johnson's conversations, it significantly influenced the biography genre despite mixed critical reception. Critics argue that Boswell's alterations of quotes and omissions distort the truth, yet the work remains a vital literary achievement and a key resource for understanding Johnson's life and the era he lived in. It continues to be the most widely read biography of Johnson.