Hester Lynch Piozzi

Hester Lynch Piozzi (1741–1821) was a prominent British diarist, poet, and literary hostess, renowned for her close association with Dr. Samuel Johnson. Born Hester Salusbury, she married Henry Thrale, a wealthy brewer, and their London home became a hub for literary figures. Her keen intellect and wit are encapsulated in her notable works, "Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson" and "Observations and Reflections Made in the Course of a Journey through France, Italy, and Germany." After Thrale's death, she controversially married the Italian musician Gabriel Piozzi. Celebrated for her lively spirit, Piozzi's writings offer vivid insights into 18th-century literary life.