653. London’s Golden Age: The Shadow of the Madhouse (Part 4)
March 19, 2026
Description
Who did Samuel Johnson fall in love with towards the end of his life, and why did it break his heart? How did it enrage his old friend James Boswell? And, why did he fear imprisonment in an...
Books Referenced
Samuel Johnson
Author: Walter Jackson Bate
Context:
Tom mentioned this wonderful biography of Johnson by a great American scholar, describing how Johnson bought fetters and padlocks due to his depression and self-condemnation.
Boswell's Presumptuous Task
Author: Adam Sisman
Context:
Tom referenced this wonderful book about how Boswell set about writing his biography of Johnson, noting how Sisman wrote brilliantly on how Boswell framed scenes of Johnson's conversations as scenes in a play.