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An Account of Corsica

An Account of Corsica
An Account of Corsica, title page.jpg
Author James Boswell
Country Scotland
Subject Memoirs of Pasquale Paoli and travel in Corsica
Publication date
1768 (1768)

An Account of Corsica is the earliest piece of writing related to the Grand Tour literature that was written by the Scottish author James Boswell. Its first and second editions were published in 1768, with a third edition within twelve months. The full title given to the journal is An account of Corsica, the journal of a tour to that island and memoirs of Pascal Paoli.

The book is an account of Boswell's travels in Corsica during a period of military and social upheaval and his subsequent befriending of the Corsican independence movement leader, General Pasquale Paoli. The British involvement in the issues of Corsica included the Corsican Crisis, and the French involvement culminated with the French conquest of Corsica.

The Journal contains a foreword in the form of a letter from the Right Honourable George Lord Lyttelton; the "Account" section details the history, geography and topography of Corsica, while "The Journal and Memoirs" section covers Boswell's trip and Paoli's memoirs.

In 1765, after spending some time travelling throughout Europe on his Grand Tour, Boswell decided to go to Corsica. He had been in Italy for nine months but wanted to visit somewhere different from the destinations usually included by those undertaking a tour of Europe. Corsica appealed to him as a Scot, as he thought he would gain new experiences and learn more about a nation fighting for its liberty. He had been encouraged to visit by Rousseau. While in Corsica, Boswell stayed overnight in convents and was hospitably treated. The locals were naturally courteous but some mistook Boswell for an "English envoy". The highlight of his visit was being introduced to Pasquale Paoli.

In a letter from Marseilles in 1765, Boswell wrote upon meeting General de Paoli in Corsica:

Sir, I am upon my travels, and have lately visited Rome: I am come from seeing the ruins of one brave and free people: I now see the rise of another.

It was a dangerous time as occupational forces from France and Genoa sought to quell the rebellious Corsican independence movement which brought about the short lived Corsican Republic.


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