James Boswell, the later years, 1769-1795

the long version

Follows Boswell's life from 1769, the year of his marriage, until Boswell's death in 1795, the period of Boswell's triumphs as a writer. In the process the author recounts the comings and goings of the great and near-great artistic and political figures of London in the Age of Reason. Theorist Edmund Burke, painter Joshua Reynolds, politician William Pitt, actor David Garrick, and, of course, the incomparable Dr. Johnson all move in and out of Boswell's life. This book combines colourful narrative with critical commentary on Boswell's two major works, his Life of Samuel Johnson and Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides.