An Account of Corsica
An Account of Corsica is a book by the Scottish writer James Boswell, published in 1768. It combines a description of Corsica with the journal of Boswell’s visit to its leader, Pascal Paoli, in 1765.[1][2] Its full title is An Account of Corsica, The Journal of a Tour to That Island, and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli.[3]
Contents and purpose
The book has two main parts. The Account surveys Corsican history, politics, society, economy and culture. The Journal describes Boswell’s journey and meeting with Paoli. The survey supplies background for the more personal narrative that follows.[2]
Boswell supported Corsican independence. According to the Oxford edition’s description, he hoped to persuade British readers, and perhaps the British government, to support that cause. His admiration for Paoli is also explicit in the dedication, dated 29 October 1767.[2][3]
Sources and editions
In his preface, Boswell explains that he expanded his original plan on the advice of friends. He describes drawing on earlier French books about Corsica, notes made during his visit and information supplied by correspondents. He also acknowledges incorporating material from Andrew Burnaby’s journal of a separate visit. These statements describe Boswell’s own account of his working methods.[3]
A corrected third edition was published in London in 1769. The complete work was reissued by Oxford University Press in 2006 with a critical introduction, annotations and textual apparatus. The reissue includes both parts, rather than the Journal alone.[3][2]
References
- ↑ Yale Boswell Editions, The General Correspondence of James Boswell 1766–1769, Vol. 1: 1766–1767, description of the 1993 edition. Accessed 10 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 James Boswell, An Account of Corsica, The Journal of a Tour to That Island, and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli, Oxford University Press (2006), ISBN 9780195165838; public edition abstract and contents. Accessed 10 October 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 James Boswell, An Account of Corsica, third edition, London: Edward and Charles Dilly (1769), title page, dedication and preface; transcription on Wikisource.