DISCOVERY OF BOSWELL’S ARCHIVES

Most individuals interested in literature are familiar with the universal opinion that the Life Of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. written by James Boswell, is considered to be the finest biography in the English language. Many, however, are unaware of the events that unearthed the treasure trove of material enabling scholars to reevaluate Boswell’s literary skills and obtain more information about his character and the life that he led than of any other person in all of history.

During the period of 1926 – 1949 in spite of numerous difficulties that would have thwarted a less determined individual, Lt. Colonel Ralph Heyward Isham devoted all of his energies and substantial fortune in locating and acquiring all of the documents now known as the Boswell Papers.

The acquisition of the Boswell Papers in 1949 by Yale University from Colonel Isham and the decision to publish them in both Trade and Research Editions provides a vast resource for those interested in eighteenth century England and Scotland. The trade edition consists of 13 volumes, all finalized and published. It is estimated that completion of the Research edition will require some 40 volumes, 13 of which have been published as of this date.

The Papers obtained by Colonel Isham from the Sixth Lord Talbot de Malahide, the great-great grandson of the biographer consisted of journals, letters, notes, schedules, memorabilia, portions of the Life of Johnson, An Account of Corsica, Journal of the Harvest Jaunt, logs, draft documents, manuscripts, originals and all sorts of miscellaneous documentation. After the initial purchase additional papers were found in an old croquet box, still later more were found in the loft of an unused stable at Malahide Castle, Ireland. Improbably, more were located in Fettercairn House, Scotland and again more at Malahide. Each find resulted in an additional transaction or negotiation requiring substantial outlays of money and was necessary to insure that all of the papers be kept together. These additional finds were totally unexpected with the huge expenses creating extreme financial difficulties, significantly depleting Colonel Isham’s fortune. Costly litigation to establish proper ownership created additional financial burdens.

This fascinating story is told in brief in the preface to the London Journal written by Christopher Morley and in much greater detail in “The Treasure of Auchinleck” written by David Buchanan, the son of the British attorney who acted for Colonel Isham in the litigation to resolve ownership and in “Pride and Negligence” by Professor Frederick A. Pottle who had been selected as editor of the Boswell Papers by Colonel Isham after the untimely death of Geoffrey Scott, the original editor.

Colonel Isham published the papers that he first obtained and at that time thought to be the entire cache in an outstanding private edition. It was designed by Bruce Rogers and printed by William Edwin Rudge in 1928-1936 and sold by subscription, the cost being $50.00 per book.. The set ultimately consisted of 18 volumes, an index, the Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides and a catalogue. They were issued in slipcases and limited to 570 numbered sets. The volumes are in quarto and folio because of Colonel Isham’s insistence that the exhibits be reproduced in actual size and not in reduced form. The Private Papers of James Boswell found in Malahide Castle from the Collection of Colonel Ralph Heyward Isham is the subject of “The Magnificent Obsession” by Kenneth Auchincloss printed in 1955. He refers to them as “the most magnificent American Press Books of this century”. It is estimated that 300 sets survive, of which 207 are to be found in public and university libraries.

Boswell’s papers have proven to be the most detailed and specific record of an individual’s life reflecting feelings, ambitions, frustrations, etc. encompassing a span of over 33 years. The mass of documentation is incredible, aptly confirming Boswell’s statement that “he could live no more than he could write.” Boswell was an inveterate celebrity hunter and during his lifetime knew most of the luminaries of his day. He comments on his association and contacts with them, providing insight to the events of his time and to individual behavior.

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