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 around the age of ten, he was transported 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 died, causing Johnson to fall into depression that Barber later recounted vividly to James Boswell.