The Duel between Sir Alexander Boswell and James Stuart: Scottish Squibs and Pistols at Dawn

by Michael Moss

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Book cover for The Duel between Sir Alexander Boswell and James Stuart

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Sir Alexander Boswell (1775-1822) wrote Scottish songs that are still performed today, such as "Jenny's Bawbee". An extravagant character and a Tory, he wrote flagrant lampoons of his Whig opponents. One of them greatly incensed his Whig cousin James Stuart of Dunearn, who challenged him to a duel in which Boswell was killed. At his trial for murder, Stuart was represented as a peaceable man unaccustomed to the use of firearms. Nothing could be further from the truth. He served in the militia, was irascible and, at times, violent. This book tells the compelling stories of the remarkable tangled events that led to their quarrel. The duel marked a turning point in Scottish politics away from a turbulent and fractious past to a quieter future. The Whigs triumphed, paving the way for liberal Scotland. In addition, this volume includes, for the first time, many of Boswell's poems and witty lampoons.
  • ISBN13 9781527534957
  • Publish Date 10 September 2019
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Imprint Cambridge Scholars Publishing
  • Edition Unabridged edition
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 221
  • Language English