Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and Annotations

"Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and Annotations" by James Boswell is a compilation of late 18th-century literary tidbits coupled with intimate musings, offering a window into the mind of the famous biographer and the vibrant world he inhabited. The work explores Boswell’s sharp observations of his era's prominent figures as well as the nuances of his own personality. With a focus on the cultural landscape of Scotland, this selection captures the author’s dialogues, reflections on literature, and encounters with a string of interesting people. Serving as a prelude to a more extensive personal narrative, Boswell’s compilation reveals his aspiration to archive the essence of his experiences alongside intellectuals. The book is a rich archive of social and literary conversations from the late 1700s.