Book Review: "Meeting Dr Johnson" by James Boswell

The Life of Samuel Johnson is a book that needs tackling and probably annotating. I have so far tried to dip my toes in it now and again to find out what it is like. As you probably know, I have some stuff lined up for 2026 and I would like Samuel Johnson's life to be a part of it somehow - if not in 2026 then the following year (if all goes to plan and it doesn't crash and burn). Of course, during his own lifetime, Dr Johnson had the reputation of being a sage and a brilliant mind, though he was also known to be abrasive and a bit arrogant as well. When we come to looking at this strange friendship James Boswell describes though, we get to see another side to him, one that people rarely got to see.

Our author has a bit of anticipation about meeting Dr Johnson, he describes "Dictionary Johnson" (as he was called) as a man who dislike sarcasm though he is also a larger-than-life figure. Before ever encountering him, Boswell has built Johnson into a kind of literary monument, a moral and intellectual giant. There are so many adjectives used to describe the man that pertain to someone who was perhaps giving the 1700s man the same shivers as the 40s scientist would in meeting Albert Einstein. But Dr Johnson doesn't stride in and make his presence slow and dramatic, no, he kind of just appears strikingly almost out of nowhere. His imposing presence seems to fill the room and capture the attention of our author entirely.

Within minutes, Johnson dominates the conversation, speaking with confidence, moral weight, and intellectual ferocity. Our author is also trying to make the reader feels what he feels. The sheer amount of weight in the air within the room at this point is difficult to put into words and so, Boswell creates this intimidating and sage-like figure from Johnson. The reader can therefore see the man the same way the author is able to at this moment. Boswell also positions himself as eager, attentive, and slightly subservient to the opinions and observations of Dr Johnson. This would explain why the book is written like a dramatic text rather than a cold, historical record. We can feel the excitement from Boswell through his words, he is hardly able to contain himself at times.

Dr Johnson’s remarks are sharp, memorable, and quotable and on top of this, it is clear that Boswell has carefully selected parts of his conversation to present Dr Johnson even more as this sagely figure who's speech is robust and unbeatable. But apart from this, Boswell also comments on himself and his own feelings, again this shapes how the reader feels about being in the presence of Dr Johnson. He uses his feelings like: embarrassment, admiration and anxiety to shape himself into a character in the book and not just a witness to greatness. This definitely makes the reader feel more involved in the text and we too, are not just witnesses.

Boswell emphasises Johnson’s unmatched ability to speak with judgment and authority - his ability to also remain respected by those around him whilst also giving off a slight air of arrogance. His opinions, even offhand ones, are framed as deeply insightful and filled with wisdom. Boswell's construction of Dr Johnson as an almost Socratic figure is well documented in this small literary excerpt but what is more is the fact that Boswell is not doing this out of any want to advertise Dr Johnson, but rather as a deep admiration for the man. The meeting is filled with gentle mockery, sharp retorts, and theatrical indignation. Both men are performing for each other and possibly both for their reputations in the literary world: Johnson is the great talker and Boswell is the eager apprentice.

All in all, Johnson speaks with an air of authority and wisdom and Boswell records it all with this strange devotion - the blend of humour and philosophy alongside Boswell's want to learn more about this man draws the reader in. And though I often feel like there is something we are quite missing about our analysis - especially when it comes to the question of slight arrogance. But I am willing to overlook that for the sake of Boswell's incredible writing.