Talk:James Boswell
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I came to this page from the link at the bottom of this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoppard - where there is a character is described as 'his Boswell'. The connection is not made either in the original page or this page. There needs to be some explanation of the term Boswell as a slang for a sidekick. Or should the link refer to an article in the Wikidictionary perhaps? - LC
- Well, there is a sort of explanation in the first section which reads "His name has passed into the English language as a term (Boswell, Boswellian, Boswellism) for a constant companion and observer". But it probably should have it's own entry instead of being in the actual bio of Boswell. --Thf1977 07:44, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
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- a more thorough explanation in this article is warranted. one can allude to the origin of this term as from his circle of elite friends: johnson, monboddo, goldsmith, kames etc and his role as a steadfast friend and companion within this circle, among the others of whom there was considerable intellectual friction and rivalry. i can add this text somewhere, since it is an important attribute he earned within his intellectual circle. cheers Anlace 13:24, 12 May 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Johnson quote and opinions
The chapter about Boswell's early life reads:
The first conversation between Johnson and Boswell is frequently quoted: Boswell: "Mr. Johnson, I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it." Johnson: "That, Sir, I find, is what a very great many of your countrymen cannot help." It is widely believed that Johnson despised the Scots; however, careful reading of Boswell and of Johnson shows that, while Johnson disliked the conditions under which most Scots lived (the rain and the poverty), he actually liked the people. He undertook lengthy walking tours of Scotland and spent much of his life in Boswell's company.
IMO, the first part belongs in WikiQuote, and the second part is more about Johnson than about Boswell, and should (if at all) be included in the former's article rather than the latter's. --Thf1977 13:49, 21 January 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Boswell and the Slave Trade
I put up links showing Boswell supported the barbaric slave trade and yet these have been deleted - why? Surely things like this are a matter of historical record - what is the point of denying them?
- I am guessing that they were removed because the additions were not particularly encyclopedic, and brushed are neutral point of view policy. I have been planning to rewrite this section, but have not had the time. I'll do it this afternoon. Rje 14:01, 1 April 2007 (UTC)
