Meet a Rare Book - Johnson and Boswell

Samuel Johnson and James Boswell were two figures of eighteenth-century literature who wrote highly influential works. Listen to Georgia explore Johnson’s dictionary - a publication that remained the single most authoritative English dictionary for over 150 years. We also learn about Boswell’s biography of Johnson, one of the first biographies in English to attempt to show the completeness of a person’s character rather than only revealing their positive attributes. Learn more about these rare books: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/en/heritage-and-research/meet-a-rare-book/ep6-johnson-boswell.html Enjoy other Meet a Rare Book episodes from the series playlist: https://www.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/en/heritage-and-research/meet-a-rare-book.html Sound Archive: Originally recorded on 19 September 2019 for the Meet a Rare Book Collection SA_0078_06 Image: Samuel Johnson. A dictionary of the English language, 1765. b1966382_Vol_1_02 Music: www.purple-planet.com Production Credits: Edited and presented for podcast by Mark Gosper, 2021. Staff talks presented by Georgia Prince recorded by Sue Berman [2019-2021]. Executive producer - Sue Berman Research and copywriting - Renée Orr, Zoë Colling, Georgia Prince and Jane Wild. Thanks to the Digital Assets, Web Design and Content and Development Teams. Supported by Auckland Council Libraries.