'In 1791 James Boswell published The Life of Samuel Johnson LLD, a biography unlike anything that had come before it; indeed, few have matched it since.1 Written some 230 years ago, it was published to wide acclaim for its unconventional style in detailing the private life of its subject. Boswell’s subject, Samuel Johnson, was both his muse and his mentor. At the time, Johnson was the most celebrated biographer of his day. His approach was innovative and a stark departure from the usual style of the time, which focused on successes in public life and on pedigree and steered away from anything to do with the private life.' (Introduction)