Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson is widely considered to be the greatest English-language biography ever written. It was revolutionary in its efforts to represent Johnson as he was, celebrating his flaws as well as his genius, and in Boswell’s decision to represent Johnson primarily by quoting his writings and relating personal anecdotes rather than relying on matters of public record. From the time of its publication till now, The Life of Johnson has been one of the most popular and influential books ever written.

This is the second of four volumes of a what was a new, intimate, type of biography when it was first published in 1791 and which has been annotated by numerous editors . This edition with footnotes is by George Birbeck Hill. Boswell took many notes of Johnson's conversations during the time when he knew one of England's most influential men of letters and he also gives us frequent glimpses of other famous personalities who were part of Johnson's circle in eighteenth century London.

This is the first of four volumes of a what was a new, intimate, type of biography when it was first published in 1791 and which has been annotated by numerous editors . Boswell took many notes of Johnson's conversations during the time when he knew one of England's most influential men of letters and he also gives us frequent glimpses of other famous personalities who were part of Johnson's circle in eighteenth century London.