Boswellian

/bɑːzˈwɛliən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characteristic of James Boswell or his style of detailed biographical writing that captures someone's personality through recorded conversations.

Etymology

From Boswell, the 18th-century Scottish biographer, plus the suffix '-ian'. Boswell became so famous for his method that his name itself became an adjective describing that particular biographical style.

Kelly Says

Boswell's technique of recording Johnson's exact words and witty remarks created an entirely new form of biography—so influential that 'Boswellian' became the gold standard for how to write someone's life story, and it's still taught in writing classes today.

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