Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did James Boswell sometimes ask Samuel Johnson seemingly naive questions?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

James Boswell, a superlative reporter, often asked Samuel Johnson questions that appeared naive or ignorant as a deliberate strategy. By posing these seemingly simple inquiries, Boswell aimed to prompt Johnson—a forceful and witty talker—to provide insightful statements and observations worth preserving for posterity. These exchanges form the foundation of The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., which is widely considered the greatest of English biographies.1