Book Description

John Scott (1731-1783) was a remarkable man. A Quaker who built a shell grotto and became the outstanding turnpike trustee of his age, he would have wished to excel as a poet. He wrote poetry in the pastoral tradition and vigorously defended that tradition against his close friend, Samuel Johnson. He also attacked Johnson for his attitude towards the rebellious American colonies. Yet Dr Johnson visited Scott's grotto, said he loved the man and wished to write his biography but died before he could put pen to paper.