"James Boswell" by W. Keith Leask is an illuminating biography that delves into the life and literary legacy of the iconic Scottish diarist and travelogue writer. Leask's insightful exploration of Boswell's journey reveals his deep friendship with Samuel Johnson, shedding light on their intellectual exchanges within London's vibrant literary circles. Through meticulous literary criticism, Leask unveils Boswell's role as an Enlightenment thinker, profoundly influenced by Scottish culture and literature. Leask skillfully navigates Boswell's personal development, showcasing how his travelogues and diaries serve as windows into his life writing and the broader Enlightenment movement. The biography offers readers a captivating travelogue through Boswell's adventures and encounters, providing rich insights into his friendships, literary pursuits, and quest for personal enlightenment. As Leask unveils Boswell's literary legacy, he paints a portrait of a man whose enduring influence continues to shape Scottish literature and Enlightenment discourse. "James Boswell" stands as a testament to the enduring power of friendship, intellectual curiosity, and personal development, offering readers a compelling glimpse into the life of one of Scotland's most celebrated literary figures.
W. Keith Leask was a writer and classics lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. He published various biographies and classical masterpieces. Leask was born on April 16, 1857, in the parish of Old Machar, Old Aberdeen. He was the son of James Leask, who studied at King's College in Aberdeen from 1844-6 and worked as an advocate in Aberdeen. His mother's name was Mary Ann Allan. Leask attended Aberdeen Grammar School and earned an M.A. from the University of Aberdeen in 1877. He went on to study at the University of Oxford, where he graduated with first class Class. Mods. in 1879 and second class Litt. Hum. in 1881. Between 1882 to 1887, he worked as an assistant to W D Geddes, Professor of Greek, at the University of Aberdeen. He returned to Oxford between 1889 and 1894, but was not awarded a permanent position. Blair proposes in his obituary for Leask that he should have relocated to London and pursued a career in journalism. But Leask returned to Aberdeen and made a career by writing books and essays for publications like the Glasgow Herald. On May 2, 1925, he died of heart illness in his quarters at 82 Union Grove in Aberdeen. Leask wasn't married.
