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Primary sourceDiary entry1776–1809 (published 1942)

Thraliana

Hester Thrale · 1776–1809 (published 1942)

The private diary of Hester Thrale, filled with anecdotes about her close friend Samuel Johnson, published long after both their deaths.

Thrale's diary records intimate details of Johnson's conversation, illness and dependence on her household.

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Cover of a book titled 'Mrs. Piozzi's Thraliana' by Charles Hughes, on a tan label with a border. Above it is a handwritten call number '940 P663 H89' and below is a library barcode label reading 'UC-NRLF B 3 546 492'.
Hester Thrale, Thraliana, written 1776–1809, published 1942.

About this source

What it is

Thraliana is a diary kept by Hester Thrale, begun in 1776 at the urging of Johnson himself, who told her to record anecdotes, observations and verses. It grew into a rich record of her household and especially of Johnson, whom she hosted for many years. It remained unpublished until 1942.

Why it matters

The diary gives an intimate, non-public view of Johnson's conversation, health and moods, different from the famous biography written by James Boswell, who resented Thrale as a rival source on Johnson's life. It also reveals tensions between Thrale and Johnson's circle after her second marriage, to Gabriel Piozzi.

Look closer

  • Why might a private diary reveal things about a person that a published biography would leave out?
  • How could the writer's own relationship with Johnson affect what she chose to record?
  • Why did it take so long for this diary to be published?

This diary entry is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Samuel Johnson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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