Sir Alexander Boswell, 1st Baronet

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Sir Alexander Boswell, 1st Baronet, 10th Lord of Auchinleck, (9 October 177527 March 1822), was an antiquary and song writer, son of James Boswell of Auchinleck, Johnson's biographer, and Margaret Montgomerie. He was the grandson of Alexander Boswell, Lord of Auchinleck. Sir Boswell was interested in old Scottish authors, some of whose works he reprinted at his private press. He wrote some popular Scottish songs, of which Jenny's Bawbee and Jenny dang the Weaver are the best known. Boswell died in a duel with Mr. Stuart of Dunearn.It was one of the last duels in Scotland. Boswell purposely fired into the air, but Stuart may not have been aware of this as Boswell, after he fell, said that he wished he had "made his fire in the air more decided than it had been." Stuart was found not guilty of murder at his trial. Over 11,000 people attended Boswell's funeral and the funeral procession was over a mile long.

Baronetage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
New Creation
Baronet
(of Auchinleck, Ayrshire)
1821–1822
Succeeded by
James Boswell


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