James Boswells The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D - Book Report/Review Example

James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was one of the most celebrated literary figures of the eighteenth century. He is best known for his Dictionary of the English Language, the very first English language dictionary. It contains over 40,000 words and over 114,000 quotations, used to explain the meanings of words. Johnson was also a critic, famous for his criticism of Shakespeare, Milton and other poets. James Boswell (1740-1795) was a Scottish lawyer and an author in his own right.

He made Johnson’s acquaintance in 1763 and went on to become his friend and chronicler. James Boswell’s The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D is his account of the life of his admired friend. It is based on Boswell’s personal impressions, first-hand and reported records of Johnson’s conversations, and information painstakingly gathered from diaries, journals, letters and interviews. The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D is one of the most famous biographical works of that genre. Boswell gives a detailed account of Johnson’s life from birth to his death.

The pages of the biography throb with Boswell’s admiration for Johnson, giving the subject a larger-than-life image. Boswell calls Johnson “venerable sage” (2980), and clearly venerates his intelligence, wit and personality. One cannot but agree with Boswell’s tribute to Johnson’s cutting wit as it shines through in his quotations, such as “Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor” (2975). Johnson’s personal courage is also emphasized with examples by Boswell. The biography is made more credible by Boswell’s inclusion of the less admirable side of Johnson.

Boswell admits that Johnson was “not a temperate man either in eating or drinking” (2977). Boswell also indicates Johnson’s “spirit of contradiction” (2983), his melancholy, depression over poverty, and his rough dress. It is these which ensure that Johnson remains appealingly human: particularly the confession that “praise in general was pleasing to him” (2970).Johnson shows a trace of class snobbishness. His belief in “the ridiculousness of the argument for the equality of mankind” (2986), shows a facet of his personality which is contradictory to his great intelligence.

He is very submissive to the king: “It was not for me to bandy civilities with my sovereign” (2979).Boswell’s report of Johnson’s behavior on his ride to Derby with his proposed wife, and his prayer on her death, makes me curious to know more about his marital life. Boswell’s account of Johnson’s last days is very poignant, especially in the light of Johnson’s fear of death. Johnson’s words, “I will be conquered; I will not capitulate” (2990) shine with courage.The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D not only shows us Johnson, but also gives us a glimpse into the intellectual and social life of eighteenth century London.

The biography makes me think that Samuel Johnson was very fortunate to have James Boswell as his biographer. Boswell makes good on his promise that Johnson “will be seen in this work more completely than any man who has ever yet lived” (2963). Boswell has immortalized Johnson through his biography. Works Cited.Boswell, James. “The Life of Samuel Johnson L.L.D.” Title of Collection. Ed. Editor's Name(s). City of Publication: Publisher, Year. 2959 – 2992. Print.