Samuel Johnson's Early Biographers

A study of biographical material on Samuel Johnson 1709-1884 published between the "Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Dr. Samuel Johnson" which appeared in the "Universal Magazine" for August, 1784 and the appearance of Boswell's "Life" in 1791. Between 1784 and 1791 at least 11biographies of Johnson were published. In addition to the better-known writings of Boswell, Mrs. Piozzi, and Hawkins, there were biographies written by Thomas Tyers, William Cooke, William Shaw, Joseph Towers, and several anonymous writers. It is with these lesser-known productions that this essay is concerned. Illustrated. Review copy. xvi, 159+ 1 pages. cloth. small 8vo..