James Boswell Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

James Boswell (1740-1795) was a Scottish lawyer, diarist, and author best known as the biographer of esteemed English writer Samuel Johnson. Born in Edinburgh, Boswell first met Johnson in 1763 and the two formed an unlikely but enduring friendship. Despite their 30-year age difference, Boswell greatly admired Johnson’s intellect and personality.

Over the years, Boswell meticulously recorded details of Johnson’s life, habits, and conversations. These extensive journals formed the basis for his most celebrated work, “The Life of Samuel Johnson”, published in 1791. The biography is considered a landmark in the genre, praised for its intimacy, psychological depth, and lively portrayal of Johnson’s wit and wisdom.

Boswell lived and died at 122 Great Portland Street in London’s Westminster borough. The building, which no longer stands, was his final home and witnessed the creation of his literary masterpiece. Westminster has long been a hub of British cultural and political life, home to luminaries like Churchill, Dickens, and Newton.

Though Boswell’s own works were eclipsed by his famous biography, he was a prolific and engaging writer in his own right. His “London Journal” and “Boswell’s Edinburgh Journals” offer fascinating first-hand accounts of 18th-century life and society. Boswell also successfully advocated for the cause of Corsican independence, publishing the book “An Account of Corsica” in 1768.

Boswell’s legacy endures as one of the great literary chroniclers and companions. His meticulous, perceptive approach set a new standard for biography and preserved an indelible portrait of Dr. Johnson for posterity. This plaque marks the final chapter of Boswell’s storied life near the heart of London – a fitting tribute to his contributions to English letters.