| Administrative History | James Boswell (1740 - 1795). The friend and biographer of Samuel Johnson, who appears to have been an early friend of Beattie, though it is unclear when they first met. He is first mentioned in the Beattie correspondence in 1770. He introduced Beattie to Johnson in 1771. |
| Description | Letter from James Boswell, London, to James Beattie, Peterhead, telling him that he should have called upon Boswell in London and talking about how Samuel Johnson's name is not mentioned in Beattie's 'Holy Religion'. Boswell writes about Beattie's possession of Mr Dilly's letters, which Boswell intends to insert into his 'Life' of Johnson. He asks that Beattie send the letters 'under cover of John Courtenay [John Courtenay (1738 – 1816), politician] Esq: M. P. London'. Also, letter asks Beattie to send any 'anecdotes or fragments of [Johnson's] conversation'.
Letter accompanied with envelope, which is annotated with 'ansrd. 24 Novr. 1794'. Further annotation: 'Windsor - September tenth 1794'. |