Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine, and His Journal of a Tour to Corsica

"Boswell's Correspondence with the Honourable Andrew Erskine and His Journal of a Tour to Corsica," edited by George Birkbeck Hill, is a historical account likely written in the late 19th century. The work provides an intimate insight into the correspondence between James Boswell, a notable biographer and journalist, and his friend Andrew Erskine, along with Boswell's own reflections on his travels in Corsica. The correspondence illuminates the personalities and literary ambitions of both men while the journal depicts Boswell's adventurous spirit during a turbulent time in Corsican history. The opening of the work sets the stage by showcasing the preface that provides context for the letters exchanged between Boswell and Erskine. It highlights the ambitions and eccentricities of Boswell, who, at a young age, eagerly engages in expressive and humorous exchanges with Erskine, touching on various aspects of life, love, and literature. The correspondence teems with playful banter that reflects their friendship, while the journal promises lively descriptions of Corsica's landscape and culture, juxtaposed against the socio-political backdrop of the island. This blend of personal correspondence and travel writing offers readers a unique glimpse into the world of two 18th-century literary figures. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck, was a Scottish biographer, diarist, and lawyer, born in Edinburgh. He is best known for his biography of the English writer Samuel Johnson, Life of Samuel Johnson, which is commonly said to be the greatest biography written in the English language. A great mass of Boswell's diaries, letters, and private papers were recovered from the 1920s to the 1950s, and their publication by Yale University has transformed his reputation.