On This Day 6th October 1769, on the occasion of James Boswell's first visit to Streatham Park/Place, Boswell wrote…
"I found, at an elegant villa, six miles from town, every circumstances that can make society pleasing. Johnson, though quite at home, was yet looked upon with awe tempered by affection, and seemed to be equally the care of his host and hostess. I rejoiced at seeing him so happy."
James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck 29 October 1740 – 19 May 1795), was a Scottish biographer and diarist, born in Edinburgh. He is best known for the biography he wrote of his friend and contemporary, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson, which is commonly said to be the greatest biography written in the English language.
Both Johnson and Boswell were "Streatham Worthies" (collective description for the circle of literary and cultural figures around the wealthy brewer Henry Thrale and his wife Hester )
Johnson lived at "Streatham 'Park" in his own apartment with the Thrale's almost as part of their family from 1765.
Images James Boswell by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Streatham Park by W H Brooke
(Source David Thrale)
"I found, at an elegant villa, six miles from town, every circumstances that can make society pleasing. Johnson, though quite at home, was yet looked upon with awe tempered by affection, and seemed to be equally the care of his host and hostess. I rejoiced at seeing him so happy."
James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck 29 October 1740 – 19 May 1795), was a Scottish biographer and diarist, born in Edinburgh. He is best known for the biography he wrote of his friend and contemporary, the English literary figure Samuel Johnson, which is commonly said to be the greatest biography written in the English language.
Both Johnson and Boswell were "Streatham Worthies" (collective description for the circle of literary and cultural figures around the wealthy brewer Henry Thrale and his wife Hester )
Johnson lived at "Streatham 'Park" in his own apartment with the Thrale's almost as part of their family from 1765.
Images James Boswell by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Streatham Park by W H Brooke
(Source David Thrale)
