The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. [bound with] The Principle Corrections and Additions; Comprehending an Account of his Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order ... for Nearly Half a Century, during which He Flourished

London: Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry, 1793. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 vol. 4to. [3], iv-xii, [17], 2-516; [3], 2-588 [586], [4], 2-42 pp. Contemporary calf with the spines in six compartments, recent black morocco labels lettered in gilt on the spines, gilt decorations and stamping on the spines. Volume one illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Johnson (a stipple-engraving by James Heath), volume two with two plates (the "Round Robin" plate and the facsimile of Johnson's handwriting). Completing the title page: "[with a] Series of His Epistolary Correspondence and Conversations with Many Eminent Persons; and Various Original Pieces of His Composition, Never Before Published. The Whole Exhibiting a View of Literature and Literary Men in Great-Britain, for Near Half a Century, During which He Flourished". Grolier Club, 100 Famous Books in English Literature, 65. Oxford DNB, Gordon Turnbull "Boswell, James (1740-1795)". Pottle 79. Rothschild 463. Our copy has the second state point in volume one, with the word "give" spelled correctly on page 135. A contemporary bookplate on each front pastedown. Boswell's historical and literary magnum opus: arguably the most famous biography in English literature. Many have praised Boswell for his reconstruction of the larger-than-life character of Samuel Johnson. Johnson's personality shines through the letters and journal entries included in these volumes. Samuel Johnson of course is best-remembered for his revised English Dictionary, done after Nathan Bailey's first pass at an English-language dictionary. Johnson's dictionary stands out as one of wit, full of pithy entries, reflective of his life experience and skilfull command of the English language. A handsome set of Boswell's story of Samuel Johnson, a work that has been celebrated throughout the ages as a turning-point in biography, remembrance, and as a revolution in the characterization of a historical person. Recently and sympathetically rebacked, a few corners subtly renewed. Each title page and the final plate has a neat and tidy repair.