William Drummond was a writer, based in Edinburgh. He was friends with Ben Jonson, the English poet and playwright.

Jonson stayed with him for two weeks, and Drummond made notes of their gossipy conversations in his diary.

Two hundred years later, the diary was discovered, and the gossip was published.

Is it an interview if neither person involved intended the conversation to be published? Not really, no. But in what meaningful sense is the publication different?

Both men were dead, of course, but they both suffered reputational damage.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnpaulflintoff.substack.com