The Hyde Edition - 1: The Letters of Samuel Johnson

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Samuel Johnson once remarked on the trend of publishing letters, asserting that he would keep his correspondence minimal to avoid it. Yet, as Boswell pointed out, even poorly written letters would garner interest. Johnson's letters, however, are far more significant; they serve as invaluable biographical documents that vividly portray one of the most versatile writers of the eighteenth century. This scholarly edition marks the first comprehensive collection of Johnson's letters in forty years, with a planned five-volume series titled The Letters of Samuel Johnson, known as the Hyde Edition. The series will include fifty-two previously unknown letters and provide accurate transcriptions from original documents, particularly important for Johnson's letters to Hester Thrale, which have often been published in edited forms. The Hyde Edition also meticulously records deletions, offering insights into Johnson's stylistic choices and mental processes. Additionally, the ownership credits trace the manuscripts' history over the past four decades. The annotations reflect significant discoveries from recent Johnsonian scholarship, clarifying previously obscure references. Overall, this edition enriches our understanding of Johnson's life, work, and context. Originally published in 1992, the Princeton Legacy Library aims to make these important texts accessible again through durable editions.