Life of Samuel Johnson

Boswell's 'Life of Samuel Johnson' is widely regarded as a foundational work in English biography, offering an unparalleled, detailed account of Johnson's life and conversations from the perspective of a contemporary and close acquaintance. It is often studied for its unique insight into 18th-century literary and social life.

This biography is considered the definitive account of Samuel Johnson's life, largely overshadowing earlier and later biographical attempts due to its comprehensive detail and Boswell's direct access to Johnson. It serves as the primary reference point for almost all subsequent scholarship on Johnson.