Life of Johnson, Volume 4 1780-1784

In this volume the listener is drawn into the bustling world of Samuel Johnson during his last four years, a period marked by travel, debate, and the steady rhythm of his daily life. Drawing on Boswell’s detailed tour of the Hebrides and Johnson’s own diary of a journey into North Wales, the narrative weaves together firsthand accounts with the author’s characteristic wit and sharp criticism of literature.

The book presents a series of lively conversations, from Johnson’s trenchant remarks on Theocritus and Callimachus to his spirited exchanges in the Ivy‑Lane and Essex Head clubs. Supplementary notes capture memorable disputes, friendships, and the tender recollections of those who tended his final days, offering a layered portrait of a man whose mind remained as sharp as ever.