Giuseppe Baretti: With an Account of His Literary Friendships and Feuds in Italy and in England in the Days of Dr. Johnson

by Lacy Collison-Morley

A dynamic biography that traces Giuseppe Baretti’s two parallel reputations—Italian satirist and English-friendly traveler—through a vibrant eighteenth‑century life. It weaves his bold writing, his confrontations with censorship, and his place among Johnson, Reynolds, and the Thrale circle into a clear, engaging narrative. Baretti’s world is revealed through his early years, family background, and social climbs, showing how his Italian roots shaped a cosmopolitan life in London, Venice, and beyond. The book highlights the rise of his literary periodical, the Frusta letteraria, and the challenges it faced under Venetian censorship, along with his enduring love of English institutions and friendships. What you’ll experience - A grounded sense of Baretti’s family history, social world, and the roots of his career - Details on his writings, travels, and the two literary personalities he’s remembered for - Context for his English friendships, literary disputes, and the Thrale-Johnson circle - An accessible account of his later years, pension, and legacy Ideal for readers of literary biographies and 18th‑century letters, this edition offers a clear portrait of a complex writer who bridged Italian and English cultural life.

398 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2018

About the author

1875-