At the age of about 10, he was brought to England by his owner, Colonel Richard Bathhurst, whose son, also called Richard, was a close friend of Johnson. Barber was sent to school in Yorkshire. Johnson's wife Elizabeth died in 1752, plunging Johnson into a depression that Barber later vividly described to James Boswell.
At approximately 10 years old, he was taken to England by his owner, Colonel Richard Bathhurst, whose son, also named Richard, was a close friend of Johnson. Barber was sent to school in Yorkshire. In 1752, Johnson's wife Elizabeth passed away, leading Johnson into a depression that Barber later described vividly to James Boswell.