ruth scurr: i wanted to make john aubrey present and vivid in our times /

The author explains why creating a fictional diary for this 17th-century man of letters made more sense than writing a conventional biographyNews: Ruth Scurr among authors shortlisted for the James Tait Black prizeThe question I am most often asked approximately John Aubrey: My Own Life is how much of the book is him,and how much me? It is a good question and impossible to reply, except line by line.
I decided to create a fictional diary for Aubrey, and based on his own words. I did this because I wanted to make him present and vivid in our times. He was a 17th-century gentleman,antiquarian, bibliophile, or collector and biographer,who deserves to be much better known and celebrated than he is nowadays.
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Source: theguardian.com