Author and diarist James Boswell was born - On this day in Scottish history

James Boswell, author of Samuel Johnson's biography, was born on 29 October 1740. Boswell was born in Edinburgh, the son of judge Lord Auchinleck. At the age of thirteen, Boswell enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, transferring later to the University of Glasgow. Boswell first met Samuel Johnson in 1763 and Boswell's biography The Life of Samuel Johnson was published in 1791.

Boswell also wrote The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson which chronicled the travels of Boswell and Johnson and described their travels around Scotland.

James Boswell timeline

• 29 October 1740 - Born in Edinburgh
• 1753 - Enrolled at the University of Edinburgh
• 16 May 1763 - Met Samuel Johnson for the first time
• 1769 - Married his cousin Margaret Montgomorie
• 1791 - Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson published
• 19 May 1795 - Died in London at the age of 54