Hester
Lynch Piozzi
born
Jan. 27, 1740, Bodvel, Carnarvonshire, Wales
died May 2, 1821, Clifton, Bristol, Eng.
English writer and friend of Samuel Johnson.
In 1763
she married a wealthy brewer named Henry Thrale.
In January 1765 Samuel Johnson was brought to
dinner, and the next year, following a severe
illness, Johnson spent most of the summer in the
country with the Thrales. Gradually, he became
part of the family circle, living about half the
time in their homes. A succession of
distinguished visitors came there to see Johnson
and socialize with the Thrales.
In 1781
Thrale died, and his wife was left a wealthy
widow. To everyone’s dismay, she fell in love
with her daughter’s music master, Gabriel
Piozzi, an Italian singer and composer, married
him in 1784, and set off for Italy on a
honeymoon. Dr. Johnson openly disapproved. The
resulting estrangement saddened his last months
of life.
When
news reached her of Johnson’s death, she hastily
compiled and sent back to England copy for
Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D.,
during the last Twenty Years of his Life (1786),
which thrust her into open rivalry with James
Boswell. The breach was further widened when,
after her return to England in 1787, she brought
out a two-volume edition of Letters to and from
the late Samuel Johnson, LL.D. (1788). Although
less accurate in some details than Boswell’s,
her accounts show other aspects of Johnson’s
character, especially the more human and
affectionate side of his nature.
When
many old friends remained aloof, Mrs. Piozzi
drew around her a new artistic circle, including
the actress Sarah Siddons. Her pen remained
active, and thousands of her entertaining,
gossipy letters have survived. She retained to
the end her unflagging vivacity and zest for
life.
